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A 

FREE POETIC VERSION 

OF 

THE FIRST PART 

OF THE 

pilgrim's ifrogre**, 

IN TEN BOOKS, 

BY 

J. B. DRAYTON. 



WITH A BRIEF MEMOIR OF JOHN BUNYAN, AND NOTES, 

SELECTED AND ABRIDGED FROM THB REV. T. SCOTT, 

Rector of Aston Sand ford, Bucks; 

And late Chaplain to the Lock Hospital, London. 



CHELTENHAM: 



SOLD BY S. BETTISON, G. A. WILLIAMS, T. E. WELLER, AND 
AT THE OTHER LIBRARIES. 

£*• « 5 /', "~" -3 






A*2 



I have used similitudes —Hosea xii. 10. 

These things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without 
a parable spake he not uuto them.— Matt. xiii. 34. 



.1 J Hartley, Printer, Journal Office, Cheltenham. 



PREFATORY NOTICE. 



The design of this Volume, is to present 
to that class of readers who may favour 
the attempt, the First Part of the Pilgrim's 
Progress in a Poetic form; and to induce 
those young persons of cultivated mind 
who have been accustomed to slight the 
original as a coarse and illiterate produc- 
tion, to give it a diligent perusal. Such 
a perusal will amply repay their attention, 
and they will find, that whatever may be 
its defects in a few minor points, its ge- 
neral merits are of the highest order. 



Yl 



The Pilgrim's Progress is conceived in 
the true spirit of poetry : — it is like a rude 
but luxuriant wilderness, where every 
variety of useful and ornamental produc- 
tion is indigenous; and a chief object in 
the present undertakinghas been, to prune 
a few redundancies, and, by applying that 
genial culture of which it appears so hap- 
pily susceptible, to relieve its meaner and 
more unsightly features; to open into 
more commanding view its noble eleva- 
tions; and to call forth each native beauty 
into more attractive and vivid effect. The 
scale of character is somewhat raised, but 
the identity, it is hoped, will be found 
sufficiently preserved. 

The following observations by the 
liev. T. Scott, and the Rev. J. Grainger, 
shall furnish aconcludingapology for the 



Vll 



experiment made on the original in the 
present essay. — 

" In somecircles, the language of these 
" plain Pilgrims might be exchanged for 
" that which would be less offensive, with- 
H out deducting from its energy." 

" The authors original and poetic 
" genius shines through the coarseness 
" and vulgarity of his language, and inti- 
" mates that if he had been a master of 
" numbers, he might have composed a 
" poem worthy of Spenser himself." 

The Notes (which the name of the 
author cannot fail to recommend,) are 
added as a useful appendage to the Alle- 
gory, that the young reader may not 
" scan the work but slip the lesson by." 



MEMOIR 



JOHN BUNYAN. 



The celebrated author of the Pilgrim's Progress was born, 
A.D. 1628, at Elstow, a small village near Bedford. His father 
earned his bread by the low occupation of a tinker; but he bore 
a fair character, and took care that his son, whom he brought up 
to the same business, should be taught to read and write. We are 
told indeed, that he quickly forgot all he had learned, through his 
extreme profligacy : yet it is probable, that he retained so much 
as enabled him to recover the rest, when his mind became better 
disposed ; and that it was very useful to him in the subsequent 
part of his life, It also appears, that even at this period he was 
interrupted in his course of vice and impiety by continual alarms 
and convictions, which were sometimes peculiarly overwhelming ; 
but they had no other effect at the time, than to extort from him 
the most absurd wishes that can be imagined. 



In early youth he was twice preserved from the most imminent 
danger of drowning : and being a soldier in the parliament's armj 
at the siege of Leicester, A.D. 1645, he was drawn out to stand 
centinel ; but one of his comrades, having by his own desire taken 
his place, was shot through the head on his post; and thus Bunyan 
was reserved by the all-disposing hand of God for better purposes. 
He seems, however, to have made progressive advances in 
wickedness, and to have become a ring-leader in every kind of 
profaneness and excess. 

His career of vice at length received a considerable check, in 
consequence of his marriage with the daughter of a person who 
had been very religious in his way, and remarkably bold in re- 
proving vice, but who was then dead. His wife's discourse to 
him concerning her father's piety, excited him to go regularly to 
church ; and as she brought him, for her whole portion, The 
Practice of Piety , and The plain Man 's Path-way to Heaven, he 
employed himself frequently in reading these books. 

This new attention to religion was, however, ineffectual to the 
reformation of his conduct ; and while he was proceeding in his 
wretched course of sin, a woman of very bad character reproved 
him with great severity for profane swearing ; declaring in the 
strongest expressions, that he exceeded in it all men she had ever 
heard. This made him greatly ashamed, when he reflected that 
lie was too vile even for such a bad woman to endure: so that 
from that time he began to break off that odious custom. 



XI 

He was, however, reluctant to part with his irreligious asso- 
ciates and vain pleasures ; till the conversation of a poor man, 
who came in his way, induced him to read the Bible, especially 
the preceptive and historical parts of it : and this put him upon 
an entire reformation of his conduct ; so that his neighbours were 
greatly astonished at the change. In this manner he went on for 
about a year; at sometimes satisfied with himself, and at others 
distressed with fears and consciousness of guilt. Indeed he 
seems ever after to have considered all these convictions and de- 
sires as wholly originating from natural principles ; but in this 
perhaps some persons will venture to dissent from him. A self- 
righteous dependence accompanied with self-complacency, and 
furnishing incentives to pride, is indeed a full proof of unregene- 
racy : but conscientiousness connected with disquietudes, humili- 
ation for sin, and a disposition to wait for divine teaching, is an » 
effect and evidence of spiritual life, though the mind be yet 
darkened with ignorance, error and prejudice. And he that hath 
given life, will give it more abundantly: for, " The path of the 
" just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the 
" perfect day." 

After various fluctuations in his religious course, Mr. Bunyan 
became acquainted with Mr. Gifford, an Antipaedobaptist minister 
at Bedford, whose conversation was very useful to him : yet he 
was in some respects more discouraged than ever, by fuller dis^ 
coveries of those evils in his heart, which he had not before no- 
ticed ; and by doubts concerning the truth of the scriptures, which 



Xll 



bis entire ignorance of the evidences by which they are most 
completely authenticated, rendered durably perplexing to him. 
He was, however, at length relieved by a sermon he heard on the 
love of Christ; though the grounds on which he derived satisfac- 
tion and encouragement from it, are not very accurately stated. — 
Soon after this he was admitted, by adult baptism, a member of 
Mr. Giftbrd's church, A.D. 1655, being then twenty-seven years 
of age; and after a little time, he was earnestly desired by the 
congregation to expound or preach, ina manner which is customary 
among the Dissenters, as a preparation to the ministry. For a 
while he resisted their importunity, under a deep sense of his in- 
competency; but at length he was prevailed upon to speak in a 
small company, which he did greatly to their satisfaction and edifi- 
cation. Having been thus proved for a considerable time, he was 
at length called forth, and set apart by fasting and prayer to the 
ministerial oilice, which he executed with faithfulness and suc- 
cess during a long course of years; though frequently with the 
greatest trepidation and inward disquietude. 

As lie was baptized iu 1655, and imprisoned in 1660, he could 
not have been long engaged in the work when the latter event 
took place: and it does not appear whether he obtained a stated 
employment as a minister; or whether he only preached occa- 
sionally, and continued to work at his trade; as mauy Dissenters 
very laudably do, when called to minister among poor people, 
that they '« may not Ik: burdensome to them." — Previously how- 
ever to the restoration of Charles II. when the churches were 



XIII 

principally filled by those, who have since been distinguished as 
non-conformists; he was expected to preach in a charch near 
Cambridge; and a student of that university, not remarkable for 
sobriety, observing a concourse of people, was induced by curi- 
osity to hear ' the tinker prate;' but the discourse made an unex- 
pected impression on bis mind, he embraoed every future oppor- 
tunity of hearing Mr. Bunyan, and at length became an eminent 
preacher in Cambridgeshire. 

When the restoration took place; and, contrary to equity, en- 
gagements, and sound policy, the laws were framed and executed 
with a severity evidently intended to exclude every man, who 
scrupled the least tittle of the doctrine, liturgy, discipline, or 
government of the established church, Mr. Bunyan was one of the 
first that suffered by them : for, being courageous and unreserved, 
be went on in his ministerial work without any disguise; and 
Nov. 12, 1660, he was apprehended by a warrant from Justice 
Wingate, at Harlington, near Bedford, with sixty other persons, 
and committed to the county jail. Security was offered for his 
appearance at the sessions ; but it was refused, as his sureties 
would not consent that he should be restricted from preaching. 
He was accordingly confined till the quarter-sessions, when his 
indictment stated, • That John Bunyan, of the town of Bedford, 
* labourer, had devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming 
' to church to hear divine service; and was acommon upholder of 
' several unlawful meetings and conventicles, to the great dis- 
1 turbance and distraction of the good subjects of this kingdom, 



XIV 

r contrary to the laws of our sovereign Lord the King.' The facts 
charged npon him in this absurd indictment were never proved; 
as no witnesses were produced. He had confessed in conversation 
with the magistrates, that he was a dissenter, and had preached; 
these words being considered as equivalent to conviction were re- 
corded against him ; and as he refused to conform, he was sen- 
tenced to perpetual banishment. This sentence indeed was not 
executed ; but he was confined in Bedford jail more than twelve 
years, notwithstanding several attempts were made to obtain his 
deliverance. 

During this tedious imprisonment, or at least part of it, he had 
no books, except a Bible and Fox's Martyrology; yet thus cir- 
cumstanced, he penned the Pilgrim's Progress, and many other 
treatises ! He was only thirty-two years of age when he was im- 
prisoned; he had spent his youth in the most disadvantageous 
manner imaginable ; and he had been no more than five years a 
member of the church at Bedford, and less time a preacher of the 
gospel; yet in this admired allegory he appears to have been 
most intimately acquainted with all the variety of characters, 
which ministers, long employed in the sacred service, and emi- 
nent for judgment and sagacity, have observed among professors 
or opposers of evangelical truth ! 

In the last year of his imprisonment, (A. D.1671,) he was chosen 
pastor of the dissenting church at Bedford; though it does not 
appear what opportunity he could have of exercising his pastoral 



XV 

office, except within the precincts of the jail. He was however 
liberated soon after, through the good offices of Dr. Barlow, 
Bishop of Lincoln, after many fruitless attempts had been made 
for that purpose. Thus terminated his tedious, severe, and even 
illegal imprisonment, which had given him abundant opportunity 
for the exercise of patience and meekness; and which seems to 
have been over-ruled both for his own spiritual improvement, and 
the furtherance of the gospel ; by leading him to study, and to 
form habits of close reflection, and accurate investigation of va- 
rious subjects, in order to pen his several treatises : when pro- 
bably he would neither have thought so deeply, nor written so 
well, had he been more at ease and at liberty. 

A short time after his enlargement, he built a meeting house at 
Bedford, by the voluntary contributions of his friends; and here 
be statedly preached to large auditories, till his death, without 
meeting with any remarkable molestation. — He used to come up 
to London every year, where he preached among the nonconform- 
ists with great acceptance; and it is said that Dr. Owen fre- 
quently attended on these occasions, and expressed his approbation 
in very decided language. He likewise made stated circuits into 
other parts of England ; and animated his brethren to bear the 
cross patiently, to obey God rather than man, and to leave all con- 
sequences with him. He was at the same time peculiarly attentive 
to the temporal wants of those who suffered for conscience- 
sake, and of the sick or afflicted : and he employed his influence 
very successfully, in reconciling differences among ^professors of 



XVI 

the gospel, and thus preventing disgraceful and burdensome liti- 
gations.— He was very exact in family-religion, and the instruction 
of bis children : being principally concerned for their spiritual in- 
terests, and comparatively indifferent about their temporal pros- 
perity. He therefore declined the liberal proposal of a wealthy 
citizen of London, to take his son as an apprentice without any pre- 
mium, saying, ' God did not send me to advance my family but to 
■ preach the gospel j* — probably disliking the business or situation, 
as unfavourable to piety. 

In the year 1688, he took a journey in very bad weather from 
London to Reading, Berks, to make up a breach between a father 
and his son, with whom he had some acquaintance; and having 
happily effected his last work and labour of love, he returned to 
his lodgings on Snow-hill apparently in good health, but very wet 
with the heavy rain that was then falling: and soon after he was 
seized with a fever, which in ten days terminated his useful life. 
He bore bis malady with great patience and composure, and died 
in a very comfortable and triumphant manner, Aug. 31, 1688, aged 
sixty years ; after having exercised his ministry aboutthirty-two. 
He lies buried in Bunhill Fields; where a tomb-stone to his me- 
mory may still be seen. — He was twice married : by his first wife, 
lie had four children, one of which, a daughter named Mary who 
was blind, died before him. He was married to his second wife 
A.D. 1658, two years before his imprisonment, by whom he seems 
not to have had any children. She survived him about four years. 



XVII 

Concerning the other branches of his family we have not been able 
to gain any information. 

Mr. Bunyan was tall and broad set, though not corpulent: he 
had a ruddy complexion, with sparkling eyes, and hair inclining 
to red, but in bis old age sprinkled with grey. His whole appear- 
ance was plain, and his dress always simple and unaffected. — He 
published sixty tracts, which equalled the number of years he 
lived. The Pilgrim's Progress had passed through more than 
fifty editions in 17S4. 

His character seems to have been uniformly good, from the time 
when he was brought acquainted with the blessed gospel of Christ : 
and though bis countenance was rather stern and his manner 
rough ; yet he was very mild, modest, and affable in his behaviour. 
He was backward to speak much, except on particular occasions, 
and remarkably averse to boasting; ready to submit to the judg- 
ment of others, and disposed to forgive injuries, to follow peace 
with all men, and to employ himself as a peace-maker: yet he was 
steady to his principles, and bold in reproving sin without respect 
of persons. — Many slanders were spread concerning him during 
the course of his ministry, some of which he refuted; they have 
however, all died away; and no one now pretends tosay any thing 
to his disadvantage, except as a firm attachment to his religious 
creed and practice has been called bigotry ; and as the account 
given of his own experience has been misunderstood or mis- 
represented. 



FREE VERSION 



PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 



THE' 



PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 



BOOK I. 



Outcast on earth's bewilder'd waste, 
A Den 1 my way-worn steps had ^rac'd — 
Stern shelter! — There, toil-spent, I laid 
My limbs beneath the savage shade : 
A vision'd slumber seaFd mine eyes, 
When, lo! before^ me seem'd to rise 
All pale, and pensive, and deprest, 
A man forlorn, in tatter'd vest. 
On his near home he shunned to look ; 
His right hand grasp'd an ancient book ; 
While his bow'd back a sordid pest, 
A strange, a ponderous load, opprest.f 



+ Isa. lxiv. 6. Luke xiv. 33. Ps. xxxviii. 4. Heb. ii, 2. 

Autho 
ary to 

a2 



1 Bedford Jail; in which the Author was confined about twelve years, 
for exercising his ministry contrary to the statutes then in force. 



Piteous I gaz'd. — I mark/d him wide 
Unclose the record. — Deep he sigh'd: — 
He read — and trembled as he read ; 
And many a bitter tear he shed ; 
Till stern despondent agony- 
Wrung from his heart this doleful cry, 
' Lost! lost! undone! for ever lost!' 1 

Thus into tempest inly tost, 
He bent him home, silent and slow, 
And hush'd awhile his secret woe. 
Frail effort! — Swift the torrent-tide 
Of anguish ev'ry art defied, 
And, groaning, thus aloud he cried : 



1 The man clothed in rags, implies that all men are sinners, in their 
dispositions and conduct; that their supposed virtues are radically defec- 
tive, and worthless in the sight of God; and that the Pilgrim has disco- 
vered his own righteousness to be insufficient for justification, even as 
sordid rags would be unsuitable raiment for those who stand before 
kings. — His face turned from his own house, represents the sinner con- 
vinced that it is absolutely necessary to subordinate all other concerns to 
the care of his immortal soul, and to renounce every thing which inter- 
feres with that grand object: and this makes him lose his former relish 
for the pleasures of sin, and even for the most lawful temporal satisfac- 
tions, while he trembles at the thought of impending destruction.-f — The 
lx>ok in his hand in which he read, implies, that sinners discover their real 
state and character by reading and believing the Scriptures; that their 
first attention is often directed to the denunciations of the wrath to come; 
and that in this case they cannot but continue to search the word of God', 
though their grief and alarm is increased by every perusal. — The burden 
on his back represents that distressing sense of guilt and fear of wrath, 
which deeply convinced sinners cannot shake off; the remembrance of 
1 their sins is grievous to them, the burden of them is intolerable;' their 
consciences are oppiessed with guilt, even on account of those actions iu 
which their neigh boms perceive no harm; and their hearts tremble at the 
prospect of dangers of wnich others have no apprehension.— The circum- 
stanceH of these humiliating convictions exceedingly vary, but the life of 
faith and grace always begins with them; and they who are wholly stran- 
gus to this experience, are christians only in name and form. 

t Heb. xi. 8,24—27. 



' O my lov'd wife ! 

* And children of my bowels ! ye behold 

1 Your friend, your father, wretched and undone : 
' Sore pressed beneath this constant load, 
' And doom'd to tenfold weight 
' Of still-increasing woe. — 

* Nor I alone : — "lis verily foretold 

* That soon a fiery deluge shall be rain'd 
1 On this devoted city ; — yea, that thou, 

* And these sweet babes, in that dire overthrow, 
' Shall sink, with me, to miserable ruin ; 

' Save, (tho* as yet unhop'd) 
1 All-gracious Heaven send timely rescue/ 

All amaze, 
His friends upon each other gaze : — 
Unwitting the dire cause, they deem 
His dread report a wild day-dream ; 
His panic seem'd a, frenzied fright 
Would yield, perchance, to sober night. 
Night came, but each slow hour was fraught 
With sighs, and tears, and sleepless thought ; 
Till morn, return'd with hateful glow r 
Brought them a tale of deeper woe. 
With kindly counsel once again 
He sought their credence to obtain, 
Their fears to move ; — but all in vain ! 
His warnings flashed on hearts of steel ; 
And, for his watchful love, they deal 
Harsh chiding, scoff, and cruel taunt, 



6 

And cold neglect. — Repuls'd, and pain'd, 
All farther effort he refrain'd ; 

And, pensive, in his lonely haunt 
The secret chamber, or the field, 
His soul to silent grief would yield ; 
And 'midst his complicated care, 
Pour for his friends a pitying prayer. 

Thus, all alone one dreary day 
As from the town he bent his way, 
Deep into hallow'd musings wrought, 
Celestial solace thence he sought ; 
Or, from that sacred book, his dear 
His dread companion! — but no cheer, 
No glimpse of hope, 'twas his to know: — 
Heav'n seem'd to frown his mortal foe ; 
And that portentous Word, that erst 
On his riv'd heart like thunder burst, 
Still spoke swift vengeance from on high, 
And still wrung forth that doleful cry, 

' Woe ! woe is me I* 

* How shall I flee 
* The gulph of endless misery?' 1 

" Isa. vi. 5. 

1 The contempt or indignation, which wordly people express towards 
those who are distressed in conscience, commonly induces them to conceal 
their inquietude as long as they can, even from their relatives; but this 
soon becomes impracticable. Natural affection also, connected with a 
view of the extreme danger to which a man sees the objects of his most 
tender attachment exposed, but of which they have no apprehensions, will 
extort earnest representations, warnings, and intreaties. — They who are 
ignorant of the Scriptures, and unaccustomed to compare their own con- 
duct with the divine law, will be amazed at such discourse; and, instead of 
duly regarding the warnings given them, will commonly ascribe them to 



Instant his hurried eye darts a wild glance 

Now here, now there : — 
Then, as in act to start, forward he strain'd ; 

Yet stood, fear-nVd, like stone! — 
— Thus panic-seiz'd, a venerable Form 
In friendly haste drew near. A smile benign 
Prefaced his gracious errand, and bespoke 
The good Evangelist; who, in kindly tone, 
The stern occasion of that cry enquired. 

1 Death' (sighM the sufFrer) f death is my swift 
doom :— 
' Death, by this sacred Oracle decreed; — 
* And after death ? the judgment: — but, to die! — 
i That thought I dread; nor judgment dare abide.'* 

Ev. But what means this strange horror? — Why dost 
thou shrink 
From death, yet loathe the bitter boon of life ? 

• Heb. ix:27. Job. xvi. 21, 22. Ezek. xxii. 14. 

enthusiasm or insanity : and, as prophets, apostles, and the Son of God 
himself, were looked upon as visionaries or beside themselves by their con- 
temporaries; we maybe sure that no prudence, excellence, or benevolence, 
can exempt the consistent believer from the same trial. Near relations will 
generally be the first to form this opinion of his case; and will devise vari- 
ous expedients to quiet his mind : diversions, company, feasting, absence 
from serious friends or books, will be prescribed; and by these means a false 
peace often succeeds a transient alarm. But when any one has received 
a genuine humiliating discovery of the evil and desert of sin, such expedi- 
ents will not alleviate but increase the anguish; and will be followed by 
still greater earnestness about his own salvation and that of others. This 
commonly strengthens prejudice, and induces obduracy: and contemptuous 
pity gives place to resentment, ill usage, derision, or neglect. The discon- 
solate believer is then driven into retirement, and endeavours to relieve his 
burdened mind by reading the Scriptures, and meditating on his doleful 
case, with compassionate prayers for his despisers: and thus he sows in 
lears that seed from which the harvest of his future joy will surely be 
produced. 



8 

1 Alas V replied the mourner, i this pressed load 
' Borne to the grave, will sink me down — yea, down 

' To fiery Tophetl* Desp'rate and undone, — 

4 For prison, judgment, sentence, all, unfit, — 
' This racks my soul, and forc'd that frantic cry/ 1 

Ev. Nay then, if such be thine extremity, 
And constant terror of avenging heav'n, 
Why art thou lingering here I 

So saying, he unfurl'd 
A written Roll; and thus the Pilgrim read, 
(While hope's first pallid gleam his eyes illum'd,) 
8 Flee from the wrath to cornel'** 
The blest command he ponder'd: 
Then, settling firm a wishful look 
On his compassionate friend, eager exclaimed, 
< Oh! whither shall I fleer 

The courteous sage 
Pointed with steady hand o'er a wide plain: — 
* — Lo there/ said he ; * seest thou that radiant light,|( 
f That friendly Wicket?'§ 

• Isa. xxx. 33. *Matt iii. 7. MPs. cxix. 105. 2 Pet i. 19. \ Matt. vii. 13, 14. 

1 Those who have discovered their lost condition, and are convinced of 
the necessity of escaping from impending ruin, frequently hesitate — not 
knowing what to do; till Providence brings them acquainted with some 
faithful preacher of the gospel, whose instruct ions afford an explicit answer 
to their secret enquiries after the way of salvation. 

2 Those ministers who instead of warning persons under alarming con. 
victions to " flee from the wrath to come," persuade them that their (ears 
are groundless, their guilt far less than they suppose, and their danger ima- 

finary, use the most effectual means of soothing them into a fatal security, 
nd no discoveries of heinous guilt or helpless ruin in themselves can pro- 
duce despondency, provided the salvation of the gospel be fully exhibited 
and proposed to them. 



* My clouded sight as yet, 
* Marks not the Gate;' (the half-cheer'd man replied) 
' The light, methinks, I see.' 

Ev. Then keep, undoubting, that celestial guide, 
Full in thy view ; and, following its clear beam, 

Behold the Gate : — 
Speed thither — knock — and learn thy further course, 

Rous'd to new nerve, new life, new soul, 
He sprang toward the blissful goal, 
Nor slacked his haste for homeward glance,* 
Nor deem'd of hardship or mischance. — 
At sight so strange, his wond'ring wife 
And clamouring children, all at strife 
Against his nobler hopes and cares, 
Demand him back.f — He stops his ears, 
And, faithful to his heav'nly charge, 
Swift as a generous steed at large, 
Speeds, and exclaims with sacred glee, 
* life ! life ! eternal life for me \ n 

8 Gen. xix. 17. J Cor. iv. 18. + Luke xvi. 2«. 

1 The awakened sinner may be incapable, for a time, of perceiving the 
way of salvation by faith in Christ; for divine illumination is often very 
gradual ; as the Pilgrim could not see the Gate, when EVANGELIST pointed 
it out to him. Yet he thought he could discover the shining light; for up- 
right enquirers attend to the general instructions and encouragements of 
Scripture, and the declarations of the pardoning mercy of God, which by 
degrees lead them to the knowledge of Christ and to faith in him. The 
Pilgrim being thus instructed, began to run: for no persuasions or conside- 
rations can induce the man who is duly in earnest about salvation, to neg- 
lect his present duty: yet in this case, it must be expected that carual rela- 
tions will oppose his new course of conduct, especially as it appears I© 
them destructive of all prospects of worldly advantage. 

A3 



10 

Now, from the populous town rush out 
In idle swarms, a motley rout: — 
Hoarsely vociferous they shout, 

Threat, point, and sneer, 

And taunt, and jeer, 
As with contemptuous rage they burn, 
Or hail the Pilgrim to return. — 
Foil'd of their aim, a shallow pair 
Of stripling youths with dauntless air, 
Pliant and Obstinate, (two names 
Well tack'd,) unhallow'd zeal inflames, 
Their recreant neighbour to pursue, 
And force him back. — Afield they flew 
Like empty wind, or arrow fleet, 
And soon the heavy-cumbered Pilgrim greet, 
In stern impatience of delay 
Laboring along his toilsome way. 
Shrewdly he scanned at instant thought 
Their wily purpose ; but besought 
In friendly speech, what urgent need 
Had thither bent their panting speed ! 

Obs. What less than zealous love, dost think, could 
urge 
Our willing service hitherward? — We come 
To win thee back. 

Pilgrim. Nay — that can never be. — 

Rather my lot be yours, — In treacherous ease 
You in the City of Destruction dwell ; 



11 

My native home, once dear; now, my worst dread. — 

In torrent fire, all — all who linger there, 

Shall quickly perish ; yea, to quenchless flames 

Shall sink down the' hopeless gulph beyond the grave ! 

Haste, then,— escape ! — Come, cast your lot with me. 1 

Obs. What! leave like thee our home? our friends, and 
comforts ? 

' 'Twere a wise choice/ urg'd the benevolent man, 
(Christian his name) 6 for, in my just account, 
4 Your earthly all weighs worthless — light as chaff, 
' Against the very humblest joy / seek : 
' Then ply with me — hold out, and ye shall fare 
* Ev'n as myself. The land that rests my toil 
' Yields bountiful, and to spare. f — Come, prove my pledge, 

Obs. But what's that wondrous treasure, that fair prize, 
You leave the' whole world to win ? 

Chr. A glorious portion : — 

A blissful heritage ; — free for all who seek it :— - 

t Luke xv.' 17. 

1 The attention of whole circles of careless sinners is generally excited, 
when one of their companions engages in religion, and forsakes the party. 
He soon becomes the topic of conversation; some ridicule, others rail or 
threaten, others use force or artifice to withdraw him from his purpose; 
according to their different dispositions, situations, or relations to him. 
Most of them, however, soqn desist, and leave him to his choice. But 
two characters are not so easily shaken off: these our author has named 
Obstinate and Pliant, to denote their opposite propensities. The for- 
mer, through a resolute pride and stoutness of heart, persists in attempting 
to bring back the new convert to his wordly pursuits: the latter, from a 
natural easiness of temper and susceptibility of impression, i&ptiant to per- 
suasion, and readily consents to accompany him. 



12 

Pure, incorrupt, unfading. — Heav'n is the clime, 
This book is the fair charter : — Take, if you will, 
And read the princely grant.* 

Obs. Tush ! — 'tis all craft !— 

Away with your strange book of cunning lies : — 
Say — wilt thou turn with us?— — 



Chr. Never: — my lot is firmly chosen. 

Resolute I have laid my hand to the plough. t 

1 Come then/ said Obstinate, 
Rousing his mute companion ; * Come, let us 
1 Quit this dull chace for home : — Full well I know 
6 A band of these craz'd coxcombs ; all adrift 
c As fancy floats them, and each babbling dolt 
' Forsooth, far wiser, in his own conceit, 
' Than sev'n sound sober men who grant a reason/ 

Pli. Hold! hold! my friend: — 'tis pitiful to revile 
Ere we confute: — If Christian tells us true, 
Well may his better hopes demand our heed ; — 
My heart inclines to him* 

Obs. What! more fools still f 

Shame! — Get thee back! — Who knows whither away 
This dreaming, brain-sick dotard, may decoy thee I 
Come back : — Be wisely rul'd by me. 

* 1 Pet. i. 4— 6. H«b. xi. 0, 16. + Luke ix. &2. 



13 

Chr. O, rather 

Come to the proof with me, and largely share 
The glories I describe ; yea, treasured bliss 
Beyond all thought ; or, if thou doubt me too, 
Read here ; and see the faithful Record seal'd 
Inviolate, with the blood of its great Author.* — 

Pli. Enough — from this blest moment 'tis my fiVd, 
My vow'd intent, to abide the Pilgrim's lot. — 
— But say, my friend; know'st thou the ready track 
To the blest land that waits us? 

Chr. Our first care 

Must be to hold in search a friendly Gate 
That bounds this plain. — Thither the hoary sage 
Evangelist, directs my steady course, 
For further knowledge of the destin'd way. 



Pli. Lead on — lead boldly on:- 
Firmly resolv'd, / go with thee. — 



Obs. And / to my safe home: 

From this very hour, for ever, I renounce 
All compact with these driv'llers of a dream - 
These wild fantastic dupes.———- 1 



* Heb. ix. 17—22. 

1 This dialogue admirably illustrates the characters of the speakers 
CHRISTIAN(for so he is henceforth called) is firm, decided, bold, and san- 
guine: OBSTINATE is profane, scornful, self-sufficient, and disposed to 
contemn even the woidof God, when it interferes with his worldly interests: 
Pliant is yielding, and easily induced to engage in things r>f which he im- 



14 

— This vented, he pursued his backward pace, 
Silent and sullen ; while the social pair 
The blank plain travers'd cheerfully, as thus 
Communion sweet their hopeful toil beguil'd. 

Chr. Welcome! heroic neighbour: Much I rejoice 
To win thee my companion : Had yon churl, 
Bent on his bane, once felt, as I, the charms 
And potent terrors of the world unseen, 
He had not lightly, thus, giv'n us the back. 

P Li . True, my good friend : — And, since no captious ear 
Besets us, let thy ready skill describe 
Our destined bliss, and how to be enjoy'd. 

Chr. The glorious vision that enrapts my soul, 
And cheers my hope, no mortal speech can paint; 
Yet, would'st thou share some antepast, attend ; 
While from these radiant pages I unfold 
The bright display. 

Pli. But canst thou vouch them true \ 

Chr. Yea, truth itself;— 

Their author cannot lie,* 

* Tit. i. 2. 

i* neither the nature nor the consequences. Christian's plain 

wtmingi and earnest intreaties, and OBSTINATE'S contempt of believers, 

vied cot tco nib ,?,' and his exclamation when PLIANT inclines to be a 

i'll^nui, ■ \\ li.it! more tools still!' are admirably characteristic; and shew 
ii sarc.isms and scornful abuse are peculiar to no age or place, but 
always lollow seilbus godliness, as the shadow does the substance. 



15 

Pli. Well said: — Proceed. — 

Chr. A boundless kingdom shall be ours, and life 
Eternal, to command its unknown joys.* 

Pli. Glad news! — What then? 

Chr. There crowns of glory wait us; 

Yea, robes of light, effulgent as the sun 
In heavVs pure nrmament.f 

Pu. 'Tis bravely spoke : — 

Say on. — 

Chr. There, crying and grief shall be no more ; 

For He who reigns supreme, shall from our eyes 
Wipe ev'ry tear 4 

Pli. But name our company. 

Chr. Seraphs, all dazzling-bright, 

And Cherub choirs of milder lustre, 
Wait to salute us there ;§ 
There we shall meet the myriads gone before us ; 
A countless multitude ; not one malignant, 
But banded sweet in holy brotherhood ; 
Each, in his happy sphere, serving approved 



• Isa. xlv. 17. John x. 27-29. + 2 Tim. iv. 8. Rev. iii. 4. >Iatt. 
xiii. 43. % Isa. xxv. 8. Rev. vii. 16, 17. xxi, 4. $ Isa. vi. 2. l Thess. 
iv. 16, 17. 



16 

The will of the Great Sov'reign, or advanc'd 
With full acceptance near his glorious throne ; 
There, from his presence, drinking endless joy. 
— In that blest region we shall see, all-radiant, 

Elders with crowns of gold ;* 
With golden harps immaculate virgins :f 

There, the triumphant hosts, 
Earth-born, but driven anon untimely thence 
To their high home, by thousand hideous deaths — 
Fierce fire and sword, 

Or raging beasts, or seas : — 
These, joyfully they endur'd, for love supreme 
Of their liege Lord ; and now they rest, secure, 
And cloth'd with immortality.} 

Pu. O, bliss!— 

O tidings heav'nly sweet! — The very sound 
Transports me, ev'n to ravishment! — But say, 
Is ours the sure possession? 

Chr. Yea, most sure: — 

The Lord of that fair clime has thus decreed; — 
4 The heritage ye seek, I freely grant. '\\ 

Pu. Each rapturous Word of Promise keens my thirst 
For swift enjoyment. — Let us press to the goal. 

* Alas! my friend/ sigh'd Christian, * this dire load 

• Rev. iv. 4. i Rev. xiv 1—5. X John xii. 25. 2 Cor. v. 2—5. 
K Ua Iv. 1 — 3. Johu vi. 37. vii. 37. Rev. xxi. «. xxii. 17. 



17 

1 Clogs ev'ry active spring :-— I cannot speed 
' As else I would/ 1 

Thus flow'd their pleasant talk ; 
Nor eye nor ear had they for earthly thing : 
When, at one heedless hound, sudden they plunge, 
Precipitous, in the Slough of black Despond ! — 
—Here weltered both awhile, in perilous plight : 
But Christian, chiefly. — Whelm' d in the rank morass 
To middle depth, hope, courage, vigour, faiPd ; 
While, feebly struggling, sank his burden'd frame. 

* Where art thou now?' cried Pliant, flound'ring back 
Through the near shallow. 

Chr. Miserably plung'd 

I know not where ! 

' And is it come to this V 
Rag'd the false friend ; ' Is this the rapture, promis'd 



1 The conversation between CHRISTIAN and PLIANT, marks the differ- 
ence in their characters, as well as the measure of the new convert's attain- 
ments. — The want of a due apprehension of things unseen and eternal, is 
evidently the primary defect of all who oppose or neglect religion. The 
men represented by PLIANT, inquire eagerly about the good things to be 
enjoyed; but not in any due proportion about the way of salvation, the dif- 
ficulties to be encountered, or the danger of coming shorty and new con- 
verts, being zealous, sanguine, and unsuspecting, are naturally led to enlarge 
on the descriptions of heavenly felicity given in Scripture. These are ge- 
nerally figurative or negative; so that unregenerate persons annexing 
carnal ideas to them, are greatly delighted; and not being retarded by any 
distressing remorse and terror, or feeling the opposition of corrupt nature, 
(which is gratified in some respects, though thwarted in others,) they are 
often more zealous, and seem to proceed faster in external duties than true 
converts. They take it for granted that all the privileges of the gospel 
belong to them; and being very confident, zealous, and joyful, they often 
censure those who are really fighting the good fight of faith, as deficient in 
Zealand alacrity. 



18 

' In that fond, artful, smoothly-lengthen'd prate 
1 That lur'd me hither? Woe to the hardy fool 
* Who reckons on a prosperous end from such 
' An ill conditioned outset ! Let me 'scape 
' E'en with my life, be thine the brave reward/ — 

This vented, at one desp'rate leap he sprang 
To the firm sod, and hurried home, well prankt 
For many a bitter taunt; 1 — while Christian, nerv'd 
To strenuous effort by extreme distress, 
Waded the Slough, with resolute resolve 
To win the Gate, 2 or perish. — Thus he grop'd, 
Till, found'ring near the shore, his cruel load 



1 The Slough of DESPOND represents those discouraging fears which 
often harass new converts. These must be carefully distinguished from 
those doubts and discouragements which assault the established christian: 
for these are generally the consequence of negligence or yielding to tempta- 
tion: whereas new converts fall into their despondings, when most diligent 
according to the light they have received: and, if some conscientious per- 
sons seem to meet with this Slough in every part of their pilgrimage, it 
arises from an immature judgment, erroneous sentiments, or peculiar 
temptations. When the diligent student of the Scriptures obtains such 
an acquaintance with the perfect holiness of God, the spirituality of his 
law, the inexpressible evil of sin, and his own obligations and transgres- 
sions, as greatly exceeds the measure in which he discerns the free and full 
salvation of the gospel, his humiliation will of course verge nearer and 
nearer to despondency. This, however, is not essential to repentance, but 
arises from misapprehension; though few in proportion wholly escape it. 
Tlie mire of the Slough represents that idea which desponding persons en- 
te.rtaiu of themselves and their situation, as altogether vile and loathsome; 
and their confessions and self-abasing complaints, which render them con- 
temptible in the opinion of others. As every attempt to rescue themselves 
discovers to them more of the latent evil of their hearts, they seem to grow 
wor.se and woise*; and, for want of a clear understanding of the gospel, they 
have no firm ground to tread on, and know neither where they are, nor what 
they must do. — On the other hand, superficial professors, expecting the 
promised happiness without trouble or suffering, are often very angrv at 
those who were the means of leading them to think of religion; as if tliey 
had deceived them: and, being destitute of true faith, their only object is, 
at any rate to get rid of their uneasiness. 

- The Wicket-Gate; to which Christian had been directed. 



19 



There nVd him, powerless, as with tenfold weight ! — 
There had he sunk, perchance, beyond retrieve, 
When lo! a gen'rous stranger, (Help his name,) 
With outstretched hand betokening timely aid, 
Ask'd of his dire disaster? 

' Sir/ replied 
Th' exhausted Pilgrim, ' As I bent my way 
' For yonder Gate, — urgfd by a warning voice 
4 To that blest refuge from the wrath to come, — 
4 Sudden to the deep drench of this vile Slough 
' My heedless foot betray'd me V 

Help. But, my friend. 

How couldst thou fail to notice the sound steps 
That cross this dang'rous fen ? 

Chr. Fear followed hard: — 

Right onward with improvident haste I fled, 
And thus fell in. 

Touched at his artless moan, 
Instant his trembling hand the Stranger grasp'd, 
On solid bearing fix'd him once again, 
And bade him a kind farewell. 

Now, 'midst my dream, 
Glowing with zeal for after-pilgrims' fate, 
The courteous man I question'd, Wherefore thus 
In foul neglect remained that hideous swamp — 



20 

That treach'rous barrier 'twixt impending wrath 
And their appointed refuge? 

6 Know/ said he, 
4 Nor human art, nor labour, can retrieve 
4 This loathsome sink. — Here, thro' innumerable drains, 
4 Descends, incessant, a polluted ooze 
4 From dregs of conscious guilt. Here, too, distils 
4 A baneful dew, by louring doubts and fears 
4 Shower'd on the dismal marsh ; thence nam *d Despond.* 
4 — Yet our all-gracious Sovereign wills it not thus 
4 Remediless : Much toil, through many an age 
4 Hath harass'd his sent servants — but in vain ! — 
4 Yea, in my brief remembrance, heaps immense 
4 Of soundest discipline have here been sunk: — 
4 Yet all avails not. — " The Slough of black Despond" 
4 'Tis noted still ; and ever must remain. — 
4 Firm steps, indeed, the cautious foot, throughout, 
4 May trace securely; save when intemp'rate skies 
4 Unsettle the deep slime; — then, utmost care 
4 Is baffled ; and the Pilgrim, dizzy-brain'd, 
4 Sinks, suddenly engulph'd in the clogg'd mire. 1 

Here ceas'd my kind Interpreter ; 
When my fleet fancy (wont to roam) 



• Ps. xl. 2. Is. xxxv. 3, 4. 

1 The author, in a marginal note, explains the steps to mean, ' the pro- 
' mists of forgiveness and acceptance to life by faith in Christ;' these 
include the general iuvitations, and the various encouragements given in 
Scripture to all who seek the salvation of the Lord, and diligently use the 
an pointed means. 



21 

Pliant espied, just lodg'd at home: — 
In curious crowds, at eager spur, 
Fermenting to a general stir, 
The busy neighbours round him press, 
Commending, some, with smooth caress, 
His bold intent and wise return : 
Some, for rash zeal the recreant spurn ; 
While others twit with pointed spite, 
His empty vaunt, and dastard flight. 
Awhile, by such rude batt'ry plied, 
The sorry stripling slunk aside 
From the shrewd storm : then, with bold front, 
Artful he brav'd its keenest brunt, 
And turn'd it sheer on Christian's fame. — 
A brighter mark, a goodlier name. 1 



Now, cheer'd with hope 



Of speedy rest, the lonely Pilgrim spied, 
(Winding a path that crossed his own strict line) 

A hasty traveler. From the neighb'ring town 

Of Carnal-Policy he came, and, mus'd 

By Christian's heavy toil, his sighs, his groans, 

Deem'd him that luckless wanderer, so nois'd 

For idiot enterprise. 

Anon they met as courteous mates became : 
When Worldly-wise, (the civil stranger's name,) 

1 They who affect to despise real christians, often feel and express great 
contempt for those who cast off their profession : such men are unable, for 
a time, to resume their wonted confidence among their former companions; 
and this excites them to pay court to them by reviling and deriding those 
whom they have forsaken. 



22 

Profoundly conning his insidious plan, 
Yet bent on social converse, thus began. 1 

* How now, my honest friend? Whither away 
< Thus freighted?' 

f A tremendous load indeed/ 
(The Pilgrim sigh'd) € as ever mortal bore ! 
' And, for my drift, I press for yonder Gate ; — 
* That blest retreat, where kind instruction waits me, 
' How this sore-laden frame may quickly find 
' Safe riddance/ 

Wor. Owns thy heart, then, no tranquil home? 
No wife, no child? 

C h R. Yea, all, and once they were my chiefest pleasure — 
But this dire burden mars my ev'ry joy ; 
And now, methinks, through the wide world I rove 
As one bereft.f 

+ 1 Cor. vii. 29. 

1 The wise men of this world carefully notice those who begin to turn 
their thoughts to religion, and attempt to counteract their convictions be- 
fore the case becomes desperate: from their desponding fears they take 
occasion to insinuate that they are deluded, or disordered in their minds; 
that they make too much ado about religion; and that a decent regard to 
it is all that is requisite, which consists with the enjoyments of this life, 
and even conduces to secular advantage. — Worldly-WISE, therefore, is 
a person of consequence, whose superiority gives him influence over poor 
Pilgrims: he is a reputable and successful man; prudent, sagacious, and 
acquainted with mankind: moral, and religious in his way, and qualified to 
give the very best counsel to those who wish to serve both God and Mam- 
mon: but he is decided in his judgment against all kinds and degrees of 
religion, which interfere with a man's worldly interest, disquiet his mind, 
or spoil his relish for outward enjoyments. — IK- resides in CARNAL-POLICY, 
a great town near the city of Destruction: for worldly prudence, mo- 
deiling a man's religion, is as ruinous as open vice and impiety; though it 
be very prevalent among decent anil virtuous people. 



23 

Wor. But say, — wilt thou observe 

My counsel? 

Chr. Gladly, if thou prove my friend ; 

My need is urgent* 

Wor. Let it then be thy first, 

Thy special care, to rid without delay 
That weary cumbrance :— Never, till that hour 
Shall settled peace be thine, nor the pure taste 
Of Heav'n's unsparing bounty. 

1 O, 'tis for that- 
(Said Christian, fervently,) ' that blest deliverance 
6 Long promised, still delay'd, I toil, I groan: 
' Vain is my ev'ry effort;—; friendly aid, 
c As yet, proves pow'rless : and in trembling hope 
6 I haste, impatient, to my last resource !' 

Wor. Who urg'd thee hitherward, to seek relief? 

Chr. A venerable Sage, of saintly mien, 
Pointed my way, — his name, Evangelist. 

Wor. Beshrew your sapient Monitor: Believe me, 
Such frightful perils crowd that hideous way, 
The very least might daunt a heart of steel : 
As thou, thus madly bent, too soon shalt know. 
Already the deep dregs of yon vile Slough 
Mark thee the prey of sorrows but begun :f 

+ Matt. xxiv. 8. 



24 



Then trust my riper skill ; — be timely warn'd, 
Or take thy portion : — -Weariness uncheer'd, 
Soul-racking pain, fierce hunger ne'er appeas'd, 

Sword, peril, nakedness ; 

The prowling rage of lions ; 
The fell dragon's fiery breath; 
Darkness, — yea, thousand horrors yet unthought ; 
And Death, half welcome in his loathliest form ! 
— Such is the picture of a pilgrim's fare : — 
Then rouse thee from thy perilous trance ! nor venture 
On weak credulities to stake thy all. 

Chr. Alas ! this irksome, this intolerant load, 
This bulk of woe, all other ills outweighs : 
Yea, cheerfully would I brave their dread array, 
To rid that single pest. 

Wor. But say, my friend, 

How came that grievance thine ? 

Chr. Most strange to tell :— - 

This wondrous book unwitting as I scann'd, 
The faithful semblance of mine inmost self, 
As in a glass, presented. Terror-struck 
To view my dark deformity, I dar'd 
No second glance ; but ever-conscious guilt 
Press'd heavy on my soul; when lo! anon, 
Fruit of mine inward burden, sprang this load; 
This type, this sum, of all my misery ! 

Wor. Ev'n so I guess'd. — So fares, (a just reward,) 



25 

Th' intruder on nigh mysteries. — 'Tis thus 
Full many a visionary dupe is driv'n 
To wild distractions; till, unmann'd as thou art, 
The driv'lling dotards traverse land and sea, 
Desp'rate, on airy schemes. 

Chr. No airy scheme, 

Na desperate stake is mine : 'tis rest / seek, 
Ease from this ruthless hurden. 

t What!' exclaim'd 
The dark dissembler, ' Dream 'st thou still of ease, 
i Of ease, in this thy dreary pilgrimage? — 
c Nay, tempt not stubborn fate ; but lend ev'n now 
' A patient ear ; trust to my proffer'd aid ; 
' And briefly thou shalt win thy heart's desire 
1 Unharm'd : yea, sweetly reap, in blest exchange 
* For toils and dangers, safety, friendship, peace/ 1 



1 There is great beauty in this dialogue, arising from the exact regard 
to character preserved throughout. Indeed this forms one of our author's 
peculiar excellences; as it is a very difficult attainment, and always ma- 
nifests a superiority of genius. — The arguments of WORDLY-WISE are 
very specious. He does not say, that EVANGELIST had not pointed out 
the way of salvation, or that wicked men are not in danger of future mi- 
sery : but he urges, that so much concern about sin and the eternal world 
takes men ofTfrom a proper regard to their secular concerns, and injures 
their families-, that it prevents their enjoying comfort in domestic life, or 
in other providential blessings; that it leads them into perilous and dis- 
tressing situations, of which their first terrors and despondings are only an 
earnest; that a troubled conscience may be quieted in a more expeditious 
and easy manner; and that they may obtain credit, comfort, and manifold 
advantages, by following prudent counsel. — On the other hand, CHRIS- 
TIAN speaks in the character of a young convert. He makes no secret of his 
distress and terrors, and declares without reserve the method in which he 
sought relief. He owns he has lost his relish for every earthly comfort, 
and desires to receive good counsel: but while he is prepared towithstand 
all persuasions to return home, he is not upon his guard against the insi- 
dious advice of his adversary. 



26 

Chr. O, grant me, then, the secret clue ! 

Wor. Attend- 

In yon fair Village, from its founder nam'd 
Morality, a worthy Casuist dwells; 
Wise, virtuous, friendly; yea, of noted skill 
The heary-laden Pilgrim to release, 
And tame his wilder'd reason. Haste — enquire 
For the learn'd Sage, (Legality is his name,) 
Or, missing him, consult his hopeful Son 
Civility; — renown'd for equal skill. — 
Anon disburdened, shouldst thou then prefer 
That tranquil refuge to thy native home, 
As well thou may'st ; (for all that heart can wish 
Shall there be thine;) call thy half-widow'd spouse 
And infant charge, thy happy lot to share. 1 

Here Christian paus'd, in tremulous debate 



1 The village MORALITY represents that large company, who, in na- 
tions favoured with revelation, abstain from scandalous vices, and practise 
reputable duties, without any genuine fear or love of God, or regard to his 
authority or glory. This deceucy of conduct aims principally at the ac- 
quisition of reputation, or temporal advantages, with only a subordinate 
respect even to the interests of eternity. It is entirely different from 
humble, cheerful, unreserved obedience; it leaves the heart in the posses- 
sion of some worldly idol, and never constitutes a spiritual worshipper, or 
tenders a man meet for the pleasures of heaven. — The most noted inhabi- 
tant of this village derives his name, LEGALITY, not from making the law 
of God his rule and standard, (for "by the law is the knowledge of sin," 
which tends to increase the convinced sinner's distress;) but from his teach- 
ii£ men to depend on a defective obedience to a small part of the law, 
falsely explained, according to the method of the scribes and pharisees. 
These teachers, however, are admired by the wise men of this world, and 
am deemed very skilful in relieving troubled consciences, and recovering 
men from religious distractions!— CIVILITY represents those who per- 
BUade themselves and others, that a decent, benevolent, and obliging beha. 
Hour, will secure men from all future punishment, and insure an inheri 
tancc in heaven, if ,:deed there be any such place/ 



2? 

Of hopes and fears :-^but, *' sure relief at hand" 
Soon nVd his choice ; and, with importunate zeal 
And blithely-beating pulse, he crar'd the way. 

Wor. Beneath yon lofty hill, winds a smooth track 
Well traveled ; — thither steadily bend thy course, 
And mark the first fair dome that skirts the town: — 
There dwells thy kind deliverer. 

At the word, 
With panting speed impatient of delay, 
Veer'd the deluded Pilgrim, till he gain'd 
The mount's broad bound. — There, all aghast he stood: 
For, lo ! that mystic height that smil'-d afar, 
Now sternly frown'd him thence ! The horrid steep, 
Loose pil'd, and grim with many a yawning cleft, 
Rose to mid heav'n. A ponderous crag that ridged 
The dizzy brow, hung dark, in perilous poise, 
Sheer o'er the crumbling base ; threatening swift fate 
On his devoted head : While sudden flame 
Flash'd like a fiery sword, wrathful and keen, 

Warding the gloomy pass !* — 

The Pilgrim gaz'd, astound, 
And palsied with petrific fear ! 
Nor ever pressed more merciless than now 
Kis galling load: nor penitent remorse 
Rankled at heart more painfully. So stood 
The wretched recreant; when, behold, that friend > 

• Exod. xix. 16—18. Heb. xii. 21. 
B2 



28 

Once welcomed as an angel form, drew nigh !— 
Severe rebuke frown'd on his altered brow, 
And deep suffus'd the wanderer's pallid cheek 
With guilty crimson; whilst in solemn tone 
Of temper'd wrath, Evangelist thus began. 

' What dost thou here? — Say, art not thou the man 
c Whom late I found wailing without the walls 
< Of thy devoted City?'* 1 

A dead pause 
Stifled th' unwilling truth, but yielded soon 
To full and frank confession. 

Ev. Urg'd I not 

Thy flight, undevious, tow'rd the friendly Gate? 
Then why hast thou so suddenly revolted 
From that good way? 

Chr. My cruel hap it was, 



• The City of Destruction, [seepages, line 9.] 

1 CHRISTIAN must go past mount SINAI to the village MORALITY; 
not that such men, as depend on their own reformation and good works, 
pay a due regard to the holy law of God, for they are " alive without the 
41 law;" but they substitute their own scanty obedience in place of the 
righteousness and atonement of Christ. They who are not humbled in 
true repentance, perceiving little danger, pass on securely; but the true 
penitent finds every attempt " to establish his own righteousness" entirely 
abortive; the more he compares his conduct and character with the divine 
law, the greater is his alarm ; and he sometimes trembles lest its curses 
should immediately fall upon him, with vengeance more tremendous than 
the most awful thunder. Then the counsels of worldly wisdom appear in 
their true light, and the sinner is prepared to welcome free salvation : and 
should the minister, whose instructions he had forsaken, meet him, con- 
scious shame would be added to his terror; and he would even be tempted 
toghun his faithful friend, through fear of merited reproof. 



29 

While faint with many a deep and desp'rate plunge 
Through yonder Slough, to meet, in social mood, 
A courtly stranger:— -Much he question' d me 
Of my base load, and dang'rous pilgrimage ; — 
I freely told him all; when, promptly kind, 
As one who laid at heart my keen distress, 
He proffer'd me, unask'd, a blest release : — 
Too soon beguiFd, my treach'rous heart he gain'd, 
And hitherward, in sure belief, I stray'd; — 

When, lo ! this mount, 
Threat'ning with instant death the next rash step, 
Thus forced me to a pause. 

Ev. Mark, then, with trembling awe, this solemn 

Word:— 
" See that ye spurn not Him who speaks to man 
" In Oracles Divine: For, if to scorn 
" His sacred mandate by a mortal tongue, 
" Provoke his vengeance, how shall we escape, 
" If Him we set at nought who speaks from heav'n!"* 
— Hear yet again: — " The just shall live by faith : 
" But whoso swerves to unbelief, in him 
u My soul shall have no pleasure."! — Such is thj 

guilt: — 
The Word of the Most High thou hast contemned ; 
His counsel shunn'd ; his covenant disdain'd ; 
Till from the way of peace thy foot hath stray M, 
Ev'n to Perdition's brink ! 



Heb. xii. 25. t Heb. x. i 



30 

At that dire wore!, 
The Pilgrim, smitten as with a thunder-stroke y 
Fell at his feet as dead! — Compassion mov'd 
The missioned Sage: — He seiz'd his clay-cold hand. 
And breath'd into his sonl this vital balm ; — 
" All sin, to humble penitence, shall be 
u Forgiv'n* — Then be not faithless, but believe." 1 — 



-That word of life 



Won back his fainting spirit: — He revived 
To trembling hope, and silently bewaiFd 
With deep self-criminance his dread revolt.—^ 

Then thus Evangelist with parental zeal 
Benignly counselled him : — ' Give earnest heed 
4 Whilst briefly I unmask that wily knave, 
4 Thy base betrayer : He (Worldly-wise well nam'd) 
' Savours alone of worldly policy, f 

• Matt. xii. 31. Mark iii. 28, 29. t I John iv. 5. 

1 It appears from this passage, that tht author judged it right, in 
dealing with persons under great terror of conscience, but who may not be 
duly sensible of the heiuousness and aggravations of their guilt, to aim 
at preparing them for solid peace by further instructions, rather than 
hastily giving them comfort. — A compassionate, but injudicious method, 
of proposing consolatory topics indiscriminately to all under trouble of 
conscience, lulls many into a fatal sleep, and gives others a transient peace 
which soon terminates in deeper despondency : as a wound, hastily skinned 
over by an ignorant practitioner, instead of being effectually cured by the 
patient attention of a skilful surgeon, will soon become worse than before. 
The communication of more knowledge may indeed augment a man's ter- 
ror and distress: but if it produce a deeper humiliation, it will effectually 
warn him against carnal counsellors and false dependences.—* Turning 
* aside' from the gospel implies a direct refusal to hearken to Christ ; and 
all who do thus, run into misery and leave the way of peace, to the hazard 
of their souls. * These denunciations are despised by the stout-hearted, 
but the contrite in spirit, wheu consciously guilty, if thus addressed, 
would fall into despair, did not the ministers of Christ encourage them l\y 
the grace of the gospel. 

• G*l. ?. 4 



31 

c In sanctimonious form he oft frequents 

* Morality's proud temple: 1 — Much he hates 

' And shuns the cross :* therefore that only way 

* To bliss divine he glories to pervert. — 

* — Now mark me : — Thou must utterly abhor 

* Three prime delusions of thy wary foe, 

* That lur'd and thrall'd thee like a triple snare. 

1 See thou detest his winning thee to shun 

* The heav'n-appointed Way:— Thy Lord proclaims 
n Strait is the way of Life — by few discerned : 

u Strive thou to enter inS'f 

€ Nor less abhor 
1 His crafty zeal to scandalize the cross : — 
' The cross, thy pledge of glory, thy prime boast, 

* Thy richest treasure:]: — Hear thy Lord again. — 

" Who shuns the cross to save his life, shall lose it:" — 

* Yea — " Whoso follows me, and for my sake 
" Hates not each fond usurper of his love, 

" Parent, or Wife, or Children; or accounts 
" His own life dear, cannot be my disciple. "§ 

* Gal. vi. 12. t Matt. vii. 13, 14. Luke xiii. 24. % Heb. xi. 25, 26. 
| Matt. x. 37—39. Mark viii. 34, 35. Luke xiv. 26, 27. John xii. 25. 

i Worldly-wise goes to church at the town of Morality : for 
the persons here represented, in great measure support their confidence 
and reputation for religion by attending on those preachers, who substitute 
a proud scanty morality in the place of the gospel. This both flatters 
their self-preference, and coincides with their carnal pursuits: and they 
verily think they have found out the secret of reconciling the friendship of 
the world with the favour of God ; and set up for teachers of the same 
convenient system. 



32 

1 But, chiefly, thou must execrate the guile 
1 That lur'd thee here:—' Twas thy sworn foe's fond hope 
1 To minister thy bane at this dread mount — 
' Sinai, the mount of death:— or, 'scaping hence, 
1 To shackle the^for life the menial drudge 
1 Of stern Legality ; (a bondmaid's son,)* 
1 The very prince of slaves. 1 — One timely pause 
' Had warn'd thee from the snare : for well thou know'st 
' No self-sufficient legalist can appease 
i The troubled conscience, or avail to rid 
* Thy penal burden.'f — 

Here Evangelist rais'd 
His arm, terrific; and with hallow'd zeal 
Call'd on the frowning heaven to confirm 
His monitory charge;— nor call'd in vain:— 
— Thund'ring majestic from the mount of wrath, 
A dread voice sounded :— fiercer flame shot forth:— 
Aghast the Pilgrim shrunk,— and lo, this Word!— 
' Whoso abides the Law, sustains the Curse; 
' As it is written—" Cursed is the man 
" Who keeps not, sinless, all its just commands."! 2 

# Gal. iv. 21—27. + Rom. iii. 20. Gal. ii. 16. * Gal. iii. io. 

1 The Author in some rude verses subjoined to this incident, observes 
that "WORLDLY-WISE can only shew a saint the way » to bondage and 
" misery. ■ y 

2 All professed christians, who depend on notions, sacraments religious 
duties, and morality, and neglect Christ and the new covenant in his 
blood, are entangled in a fatal error. They seek the blessing " not by faith 
"but as it were by the works of the law;" "for they stumble at that 
•• stumbling stone."— The Scriptures adduced by Evangelist are so perti- 
nent and conclusive against this species of religion, that they can never be 
fairly answered : nay, the more any man considers them, as the testimony 
ot God himself, the greater must be his alarm, (even as if he heard the 



33 

Not ev'n Perdition's gulph rent at his feet, 
Had Christian more appall'd :— -Instant he waits 
A fiery death-stroke ! moaning full many a curse 
On his base folly, and that fatal hour 
That snar'd him to the foe. — Yet still he breathes !— 
He wins new fervor from the blest reprieve, 
And, with impassioned speech this suit prefers. — 

' Oh, tell me, thou best friend ! — Say, is there hope ! 

* May I yet reach the Gate, nor thence be spurn'd? 
4 May my remorseful anguish be assuag'd? 

4 My sin forgiv'n?' 

' Truly thy guilt is great/ 
Replied Evangelist, ' yea, of crimson dye; — 
'But Mercy follows thee: — Take courage, then, 
4 Nor doubt of smiling welcome at the Gate, 
4 And liberal fare within: — With wide^spread arms 

* There stands a Guardian-Herald, and proclaims 

" Good will to Man!" — 4 But see thou stray no more; 
4 Lest, (thy Lord's wrath new kindled,) from the way 
4 Thou perish utterly/* 

Thus cheer'd, thus warn'd, 
Th' indulgent Monitor one benignant smile, 



• Psa. ii. 12. 

voice from Mount SINAI out of the midst of the fire;) unless he be con- 
scious of having renounced every other confidence, to "flee for refuge to 
" lay hold on the hope set before us" in the gospel. 

B3 



u 

One parting kiss, vouchsafed; bade him ' God speed/ 
And urg'd him on his way. 

As one who plies 
Vent' rous an adverse stream 'midst rocks and shoals ; 
With perilous hardihood o'erspent, steers back, 
And dreads the subtle tide he brav'd before ; 
So Christian sped: — Still on forbidden ground, 
Each foot, each voice, alarm'd him 1 Dumb he pass'd 
All courtesy — to all enquiry deaf; — 
Nor lax'd his jealous heed, nor deem'd him safe, 
Till, once again, his treacherous fo6t retrieved 

The long-deserted way. -The Gate!— -The Gate! — «- 

A joyous tear dimmed his first glance. — Anon, 
He wins the lowly portal, on whose front 
This record beam'd :— — 

i Knock, and it shall be open'd/* 1 
Bold he approach'd, and, with importunate zeal 
Knocked thrice. — Nor less alert the vigilant Ward, 

• Matt. vii. 7, 8. 

1 This Gate represents Christ himself, as received by the penitent sin- 
ner fur all the purposes of salvation. — By him every true penitent enters 
into the nanow way to life, though with difficulty and conflict, as through 
a " strait Gate :" • for the convert cannot carry along with him any of his 
sinful practices, ungodly companions, worldly idols, or false confidences, 
when he enters in : nor can he effectually contend with those enemies that 
obstruct his passage, unless he wrestle continually with God in prayer for 
his gracious assistance. — And therefore our Lord has said •« Strive to enter 
" in at the strait gate."t Nor must we forget that the sinner returns to 
God by faith in Christ; that genuine repentance comes from him, and 
leads to him ; and that the true believer not only trusts in the Lord for 
salvation, but also seeks his liberty and happiness in his service. 

" Matt. vii. 13, 14. + Luke xiii.»4. 



35 

(Good-will his name,) answer'd the hasty call, 
With narrow scrutiny, and brief demand. 

' Behold a burdenM sinner!' (Christian sigh'd;) — 

* — Late from the City of Destruction warn'd, 

* I flee the wrath to come ; and here would pass, 

* A Pilgrim to Mount Zion. — Such is my plea, 

* O, say, wilt thou receive me?' 

* Readily, 

* With all my heart; 7 replied the gen'rous friend; 1 — 
— Back flew the Gate : — The Pilgrim pressed — O bliss ! 
The sacred threshold. The kind Guardian seized 

His welcome Charge, and forc'd him safe within ! — 

< — One moment's pause/ he cried, l and here, ev'n here, 

1 What peril had been thine ! — for lo ! hard by, 

6 An ancient Castle stands ; gloomy and strong ; 

■ The savage hold of Beelzebub; Thence, oft, 

' He with his host of myrmidons assails 

1 By fiery darts, the feeble and the faint 

1 Who here seek entrance ; hopeful to transfix 

* His weary mark, ev'n at the very goal V 2 



1 GOOD- WILL seems to be emblematic of the compassionate love of 
God to sinners through Jesus Christ.*— He " came from heaven to do the 
M will of him that sent him, M and " he will in no wise cast out any that 
•* come to him," either on account of former sins, or present mistakes, 
infirmities, evil habits, or peculiar temptations. For " he waits to be 
•■ gracious," till sinners seek him by earnest persevering prayer. 

2 As sinners become more decided in counting all but loss for Christ, 
and assiduous in the means of grace, Satan, if permitted, will be more 
vehement in his endeavours to discourage them: that, if possible, he may 

• Luke ii. 14. 



36 

1 Thus safe/ said Christian, l 'mid such peril sav'd 7 
1 (All thanks to thee) with trembling I rejoice/* 

•Psa. ii. 11. 

induce them to desist, and so come short of the prize.— The powers of 
darkness will attempt to disturb all those who earnestly cry for mercy, by 
various suggestions to which they were wholly strangers while satisfied 
with a form of godliness: and the christian's grand conflict to the end of 
his course, consists in surmounting the hindrances and opposition he meets 
with, in keeping near to the throne of grace, by fervent, importunate,, and 
persevering prayer. 



THE 



PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 



BOOK II. 



Now first securely fenc'd from watchful foes, 
The weary Pilgrim tasted sweet repose : 
More sweet from lively thought of perils past ; 
As when the storm-cloud, by a friendly blast 
Of northern fury to the' horizon driven, 

More lovely leaves the tranquil heav'n. 
— With template fare now cheer'd, his thankful guest 
The kindly Host familiar thus address'd. 

' Thrice welcome to my roof! — but, say, my friend, 
4 Who steer ? d thy wanderings hitherward ? ' 

Chr. My kind director was Evangelist.— 
At his blest bidding I present me here, 
Assured of ev'ry needful help from thee. 

Good. Behold, before thee stands an open door 
No human pow'r can shut. 



38 

Chr. O, blest reward 

Of my past danger, misery, and toil! 

Good. Bat why art thou on pilgrimage thus lonely? 

Chr. No friend or neighbour rous'd him at th* alarm 
Of threatened wrath : 

Good. Did any mark thy roving ? 

Chr. None, save my wife and children: — these first 
spying 
My sudden flight, clamoured for my return. 
Wide spread the news; — the madd'ning populace 
Join'd the hoarse shout; but my tormented ear 
I stopt, and diligently held my way. 

Good. Did none pursue thy flight and urgethee4>ack? 

Chr. Yea, two sworn friends, Pliant and Obstinate, 
Soon followed, and beset me with fair pleas 
Of feign'd regard: till Obstinate, expos'd, 
And baffled, and repuls'd, railing returned ; 
But easy Pliant held awhile with me. 

Good. And what untoward venture scar'd him back? 

Chr. Fair weather serv'd, till, suddenly in the mire 
Of black Despond we wallow'd. — There, at once, 
Wan'd all his boasted constancy. — Dismay'd 
At the first plunge, he cleared the safer shore, 
And hurried home loud murmuring. 



89 

Good. Alas! 

That present ills, (how trivial !) should o'erpoise 
The promis'd weight of glory ! 

Chr. And such, yea, viler, 

Hath been my base declension: Grown, like him, 
Impatient of my cross, this painful load, — 
The deeply-subtle craft of Worldly-wise 
Too easily seduced me, and, anon, 
For hope of promis'd ease I turn'd astray. — 

Good. What! by that smooth Impostor wast thou sent 
To stern Legality? 

Chr. Panting for ease, 

And won by his fond speech and flatt'ring bait, 
I hasted to the snare ; when, suddenly, 
A fiery Mount withstood me, threatening to fall 
On my devoted head. 

Good. O, blest escape ! — 

That angry mount full many a rebel slave 
Hath crushed, and its ten thousands yet shall slay. 

Chr. Thus, doubtless, /had perish'd; but, behold, 
Watchful of mine extremity, my friend, 
My faithful Guide, Evangelist, drew nigh: — 
Terrific was his alter'd brow : Severe 
He chid my folly, but revived my hope : 
O far more meriting despair and death, 



40 

Yea, instant death ! than favour'd entrance here, 
Or converse with my Lord. 

Good. We welcome all — 

All who betake them hither ; nay, tho' stain'd 
Deep with invet'rate guilt, ne'er was one soul 
Left cheerless, or in any wise cast out.* — 
— But rise : — time warns me specially to appoint 

Thy further course. Seest thou that narrow pass ? 

— By ancient Patriarchs, venerable Seers, 

Our great Messias, and his chosen Train, 

Was cast up that highway, unerringly 

By strictest rule : — There thou may'st walk secure. 

Chr. But winds no treach'rous path on either hand, 
Baffling th' unwary Stranger? 

Good. Yea ; throughout, 

Smooth artful ways on either hand jut down, 
But crooked those, and wide ; — while this alone 
Is strait and narrow. 1 

• John vi. 37. 

1 In this way christians must follow one another on the same track, 
facing enemies, and bearing hardships, without attempting to evade them : 
nor is any indulgence given to different tastes, habits, or propensities. — It 
is, therefore, a straiten' d, or as some render the word, an afflicted way ; 
being indeed an habitual course of repentance, self-denial, patience, and 
mortification to sin aud the world, according to the rule of the holy Scrip- 
tures. Christ himself is the Way by which we come to the Father and walk 
with trim ; and true faith works by love, aud " sets us in the way of his 
" steps."* This path is also a/rai7, as opposed to the crooked ways of wicked 
men ;f for it consists of au uniform regard to piety, integrity, sincerity, 
and kindness; at a distance from all the hypocrisies, frauds, and artifices, 
by which ungodly men wind about, to avoid detection, and keep up their 
credit, to deceive others or impose on themselves. — The question proposed 
• Pea. lxxxv. 13. -r Pea. exxv. 5. 



41 

Chr. Yet one cruel care 

Still haunts me : — Am I doom'd to carry hence 
This sordid load? Will not my gracious Lord 
(Unquestioned pow'r is thine) deign my release ? 

Good. Nay, nay, my Son; — Be sure, deliverance here 
Awaits thee not ; but, bear up yet awhile 
Meekly content, thy burden self-releas'd 
(Like canker'd fruit dropt from a vernal bough,) 
Shall fall, what time and where just heav'n decrees. 
Meanwhile, a little onward seek the dome, 
Whose front, with hallow'd emblems wrought, bespeaks 
The dwelling of renowned Interpreter: 
Turn thither, rest awhile, and humbly tend 
His teaching. 

Thus benevolently cheer'd, 
The Pilgrim, mindful of departing day, 
Girded his loins ; and, with a last exchange 
Of mutual blessing, bade a sad farewell. 

Ere long, close bord'ring on the road, 
Interpreter's serene abode 

He mark'd. He knocked: — Without, within, 

All, all was mute, save echo's din ! — 



by CHRISTIAN implies, that believers are more afraid of missing the way 
than of encountering hardships; and Good-wili/S answer, shews tha't 
the careless and self-willed are extremely liable to be deceived. But all 
these ways are crooked and wide; they turn aside from the direct line of 
living faith and holy obedience, and are more soothing, indulgent, and 
pleasing to corrupt nature, than the path of life, which is every where 
contrary to the bias of the carnal mind. 



42 

His anxious heart beats high. 
Louder the summons he repeats ; — 
His ear the deep-toned Warder greets, 

And challenges reply. 1 

1 I come/ said Christian, ' from a friend 
1 High rank'd in credit with thy Lord, 

\ Athirst such tutorage to tend 
' As this fam'd mansion may afford/ 

Anon, (his fervent plea prevails,) 
Interpreter the Stranger hails. — 
Meek was his mien, 
Yet fiery keen 
The ordeal inquest of his eye, 
And blent with hoary majesty. — 

A stately wand he bore : 
But, ere he taught his mystic lore, 
He ask'd the Pilgrim's late abode, 
His errand, and his destin'd road. 



1 With great propriety our author places the house of INTERPRETER 
beyond the Strait Gatb : for the knowledge of divine things, which 
precedes conversion to God by faith in Christ, is very scanty, compared 
with the diligent christian's subsequent attainments. A few leading truths 
deeply impressed on the heart, and producing efficacious fears and hopes, 
with warm desires and affections, characterize the state of a new-born 
babe : but reliance on the mercy of God through Jesus Christ prepares him 
for further instruction : and, "having tasted that the Lord is gracious, he 
"desires the sincere milk of the word, that he may ^row thereby." The 
Interpreter emblematically represents the teaching of the Holy Spirit 
according to the Scripture; for while believers read, hear, and meditate, 
and endeavour to profit by their daily experience and observation ; they 
also depend on this promised teaching, and by constant prayer look to the 
fountain of wisdom, to deliver them from prejudice, preserve them from 
error, and enable them to profit by the ministry of the word. 



43 

Chr. From a far town of evil fame, 

The City of Destruction, I am bent 
A pilgrim to Mount Zion: Nor ev'n here 
My foot had linger'd, but for aid from thee, 
Pledg'd by yon Wicket's friendly SentineL 

Interpreter. Turn in, and tarry here a welcome guest y 
While for thy special profiting I reveal 
He art- stirring mysteires of high concern. 

An order'd menial now before them pass'd, 
Bearing aloft a sunny-beaming torch ; 
Till at a secret chamber, hush'd and dim, 
They entered. — The wide walls were pictur'd round: 
But, 'midst the throng'd variety, they pause 

At one sage Portraiture. 

Ecstatic beam'd his heav'n-devoted eye: 

His right hand bore the Book of Grace ; 

And, from his eloquent lips, 
The Law of Truth spontaneous seem'd to breathe. 
Behind him, dwindled into distant shade, 
The Globe was cast. His attitude was love. 
His arm stretch'd forth as one who pleads with men : 

While pending o'er his brow, 
A crown of gold shone with transcendent glory. 

Thoughtful awhile 
The' admiring Pilgrim gaz'd; but his shrewd wit 
That lesson vainly pond'ring, he besought 
The hidden clue. 



44 

* Lo/ said Interpreter, 

* In emblem shadow'd forth, one of a thousand. 

* Mystical he combines a father's* name 

* With a fond mother's ;t traveling himself in birth, 

* And nourishing his children. Next, observe 

' His eyes with heav'n conversing. J In his hand 

1 The Book of books; and, on his hallow'd lips, 

' The Law of Truth indelible. — These bespeak 

' His high commission to unfold and clear 

i Deep-veiPd instructions to the tractile mind : — 

' For this he pleads with men. — Mark yet again 

1 The world behind him like a bauble cast, 

' And o'er his head a radiant crown. These teach 

' His all of sublunary bliss renounced 

' For love of Him whose service he accounts 

' True honour, freedom, happiness supreme — 

* Sure of his great reward, the promised crown 
' Of Glory Everlasting. — Such is the man 

' Whose complicated office first demands 
' Thy special heed. — In him behold thy guide, 
1 Thy faithful guide, thro' all thy pilgrimage ; 
1 Thus fitly chosen by his Lord and thine/ 1 

* 1 Cor. iv. 15. + Gal. iv. 19. % 1 Thess. ii. 7. 

1 The condescending love of the Holy Spirit, in readily granting the 
desires of those who apply for his teaching, notwithstanding their sins, 
prejudices, and slowness of heart to understand, can never sufficiently be 
admired.' He employs men as his instruments, who, by explaining the 
Scriptures, may be said to 'light the candle :' while he efficaciously opens 
the mind to instiuction. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear 
14 him:" + the INTERPRETER leads them into retirement that he may 
impart that heavenly wisdom which is hidden from the most sagacious of 
worldly men. — Thehrstlessonhereinculcated, relates to the characterof the 

• 1'sa. cxliii. 10. + Tsa. xxv. 14. 



45 

This emblem duly scann'd, 
An ancient hall, ungarnish'd, dark, and drear, 
Received them. The still dust of many a year 
Spread the wide pavement in a sordid heap: — 
The Sage commands a gloomy slave to sweep ; 
And, instant seized with suffocating pain, 
Gasp'd the pale Pilgrim. — He commands again ; 
When, meekly graceful, from a crystal rill 
A smiling Damsel shower'd, and all was still, 
And by the sullen- menial cleans'd at will. — 
That peril past, the Pilgrim breath'd again, 
And sought, with lowly reverence, to obtain 
The secret import. 

' This neglected room' 
(Replied the kind Instructor) ' shadows forth 
g Man's graceless heart : The dust, his inward taint, 
* Deep — universal — of original sin : — 
i The Slave who swept the nuisance, is the Law; 
( The Damsel, meek, the Gospel. Now, as thou saw'st 



true minister. This portrait and its key need no explanation : but all who 
sustain, or mean to assume, the sacred office, should seriously examine it, 
clause by clause, with the Scriptures from which it is deduced, enquiring 
impartially how far they resemble it, and praying earnestly for more exact 
conformity : and every one should be extremely careful not to entrust liis 
soul to the guidance of those who are wholly unlike this emblematic repre- 
sentation. For surely a dissipated, ambitious, profane, or contentious man, 
iu the garb of a minister, cannot safely be trusted as a guide to heaven !— 
He who never studies, or who studies any thing in preference to the Bible, 
cannot be qualified to 'unfold dark things to sinners!' and he, who is 
abundantly more careful about his income, ease, or consequence, than 
about the souls of his flock, cannot be followed without the most evident 
danger and the most inexcusable folly ! For who would employ an igno- 
rant, indolent, or fraudulent lawyer or physician, merely because he hap- 
pened to live in the same parish I 



46 

* How he who first essay'd roug'd the dire plague 
< To wider mischief; but, to cleanse or quell 

1 Baffled his skill ; be wisely taught from hence, 
1 That ev'n the Law, misus'd to vanquish sin, 
' Tho' sternly it forbid, and keen detect, 

* Can but revive, and aggravate, and spread 

' That subtle bane.* 1 Yet, as thou didst perceive 
' The ferment quick subdu'd by her who pour'd 

* The kindly show'r ; so, when the G ospel sheds 

* A sweet ablution from the Fount of Grace, 
' Sin, vanquish'd first, then, readily expell'd, 
6 The vilest heart presents a pure abode, 

' Meet for the King of Glory.'f 2 

• Rom. vii. 6. 1 Cor. xv. 56. Rom. v. 20. 
* John xv. 3. Acts xv. 9. Rom. xvi. 25, 26. Eph. v. 26. 

i [So Milton. 

" The Law was given them to evince 

" Their natural prarity, by stirring up 

" Sin against law to fight : 

u Law can discover sin, but not remove." 

Par. Lost. B. xii. 1. 286—290.] 
a When the Law of God is brought with energy to the conscience, it* 
strictness, spirituality, and severity, awaken the latent enmity of the 
heart: the absolute self-denial it demands even in the most plausible 
claims of self love, and its express prohibition of the darling sin. with the 
experienced impracticability of adequate obedience to its spiritual pre- 
cepts, and the awful sentence it denounces against every transgressor, 
concur in exciting opposition to it, and even to Him who gave it, and is 
determined to magnify and establish it in honour. The discovery also in 
the heart, of evils which before lay dormant, the consciousness of coveting 
things prohibited, and the conviction that this concupicence is sinful, 
induce the awakened sinner to conclude that he is viler than ever: and 
indeed a clearer knowledge of the divine law must aggravate the guilt of 
every sin. Thus being deeply humbled, and taken off from self-confidence, 
he is prepared to understand aud welcome the free salvation of the gospel. 
Then the law appears to him disarmed of its curse, as the rule and standard 
of holiness; encouraged by the truths and promises of the gospel, and 
animated to exertion by its motives, he delights in "cleansing himself 
" from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and peifecting holiness in the fear 
*• of God," that he may be "an habitation of God through the Spirit." 



47 

This, well weighed, 
The sacred Monitor his wondering guest 
Led to an inner room. Two Youths, impress'd 
With varied lineaments, in silence sate ; — 
Passion and Patience nam'd: The one, sedate, 
And calm, and meek, with eye of heav'nly blue ; 
And life's pure morning-rose of loveliest hue 
Wreathed with his cherub smile. The other, blent 
Of sickly cares and sullen discontent. 
— In sudden transport of unquelPd desire 
Frenzied he foam'd, and glanc'd malignant fire : 
His angry cheek with fitful crimson burns, 
While his pale lip, gnaw'd and convulsed by turns, 
Vents many a stubborn sigh: — Sight so deprav'd, 
Griev'd Christian's parent-heart, who, pensive, crav'd 
The melancholy cause. 

1 Know/ said the Sage, 
6 The prudent Guardian of yon tender charge, 
' Wills each for his inheritance should wait 
' The coming year; — Passion demands all now; 
' But Patience yields him to the wise delay/ — 

While yet he spake, behold the' expected prize 
At Passion's feet pour'd forth : — He feasts his eyes; — 
Intoxicate he grasps the glittering toy, 
And sneers and laughs to scorn the patient boy, 
Unmov'd spectator of his frantic joy. — 
— Anon, a graceless prodigal confest, 
He squanders all : — Yea, strips his very vest ; 



48 

Till nought remains his own, but empty bags, 
And pining penury, and starveling rags! 

' Lo!' said the Seer, ' in allegoric type 
1 Man's just epitome.— Wild Passion, marks 
1 The slaves of this vain world ; whose all of bliss 
' Time's shallow NOW contains !— Patience, the heirs 
1 Of that blest world to come; whose sacred joys 
1 Through heav'n's interminable year shall flow, 
* Pure, fathomless, unbounded!* — Now, as thou saw'st 
1 How Passion's wealth soon squander'd, sunk to rags, 
4 Such is the worldling's fate when Time shall end.' 1 

Chr. Thus wisely taught, be mine the promis'd bliss 
Of vast futurity ; content, whilst here, 
With transient earth's least pittance. 

Interp. Well hast thou weigh'd 

• Lukexvi. 19—31. 

1 In this instructive emblem, Passion represents the prevalence of the 
carnal affections over reason and religion. Whatever be the object, this 
dominion of the passions produces tretfulness and childish perverseness, 
when the imagined temporal good is withheld. This impatience of delay 
or disappointment is however succeeded by pride, insolence, and inordinate 
though transient joy, when the man is indulged with the possession of his 
idol; yet he soon grows dissatisfied with success, and often speedily lavishes 
away nis coveted advantages. — On the other hand, PATIENCE is the em- 
blem of those who quietly and meekly wait for future happiness, renounc- 
ing present things for the sake of it. True riches, honours, and pleasures, 
are intended for them, but not here; and, as young children well governed, 
they simply wait for them till the appointed season, in the way of patient 
obedience. — The life of faith isthereign of reason over passion; while unbe- 
lief makes way for the triumph of passion over reason. Nor can any thing 
be more essential to practical religiou than an abiding conviction, that it 
is the only true wisdom, uniformly and cheerfully to part with every tem- 
poral good, whenever it interferes with the grand concerns of eternity. 



49 

Things seen with unseen; — temporal with eternal:*— 
But, in this world of sense, the fond ally 
Of carnal appetite, innumerable baits 
Unthought, will tamper thee. — Of these beware. 

Next, they explore a vaulted cave :— 
Beside the sable wall, aspire 
Bright volumes of mysterious fire: 

Whilst, in fell spite, a fiend-like slave 
With fierce malignant scowl, 
An engin'd stream fetid and foul 
(Descending in a furious tide) 
On the pure flame incessant plied ; 
Which, baffling its indignant foe, 
Mounts to a more triumphant glow ! 

i Mark/ said the Sage, S Heav'n's special miracle 
4 In lively symbol wrought. — That quenchless fire 

* Denotes true grace in man's regenerate heart: 

* Yon gloomy drudge, the Devil; still intent 
' To flood that flame in impotent despite. 

* But, as thou seest th' unconquerable blaze 

1 To tenfold vigour rous'd by that foul stream, 
' Though plied with hellish rage, behold the cause.* 
— So saying, to a secret nook they turn'd, 
Where stood a man, bright as an angel form, 
Feeding with fragrant oil in constant flow, 
The living flame. 

* 2 Cor. iv. 16. 



50 

1 See/ said Interpreter, 
* The' unfolded mystery. — That heav'nly fornr 
' Presents (how faintly trac'd!) Satan's dread foe, 
' The great Messias ; who, with purest unction, 
1 His grace once kindled vigilant maintains, 
1 By diabolic enmity still rouz'd 
4 To glorious conquest J* while the tempted soul 
4 Sees not nor comprehends the secret Pow'r 
4 That feeds the' immortal fire.' 1 

Now, from the cavern's pitchy night 
Forth issuing into cheerful light, 
They freely range a rich domain, 
Where, 'midst the wild luxuriant plain, 
On a soft mount, (yet steep to climb,) 
A tow'ry palace rose sublime ; 
And, on the roof, to sweetest song, 
Walk'd blissfully a golden vested throng. 

' 2 Cor. xii. 9. 

1 The doctrine of the true believer's final perseverance is here stated, 
in so guarded a manner as to preclude every abuse of it. The emblem im- 
-lies, that the soul is indeed born of God and endued with holy affections: 
iut this heavenly flame is not represented, as almost extinguished or co- 
vered with ashes for many years, and then revived a little at the closing 
scene: for it burns higher and hotter notwithstanding the opposition of 
depraved nature, and the unremitted efforts of Satan to quenchit: the Lord 
secretly feeding it with his grace.— When a professor remarkably loses the 
vigour of his affections, the reality of his conversion becomes doubtful, and 
he can take no warranted encouragement from the doctrine. When how- 
ever, any one grows more spiritual, zealous, humble, and exemplary, in the 
midst of harassing temptations; while he gives the whole glory to the 
Lord, he may take comfort from the assurance, that he shall be " kept by 
" his power through faith unto salvation." But so mysterious is the way 
in which the tempted are preserved, while every thing seems to concur 
in giving Satan advantage against them, that they are a wonder to them- 
leWea — The instruction especially inculcated by this emblem is, an entire 
reliance, in the use of appointed means, on the 9ecret but powerful influence 
cf divine grace, to maintain and carry ou the sanctifying work that has 
been begun in the soul. 



t 



51 

—The Pilgrim, on that glorious pile 
Gaz'd eagerly, with enraptured smile, 
And, with a fond ambition fix^d, 
Of his indulgent Guide enquir'd 
If entrance to that blest retreat 
Waited a lowly Pilgrim 7 s feet? 

The prudent Sage, loth to deny 
The meek desire, evades reply: 
But up the steep, with steady pace, 
Conducts him to an ample space 

Before the palace gate, 
Where timid crowds impatient wait: — 
For, lo ! a fiercely-marshall'd guard 
The sacred portal sternly barr'd ; 
While, scrutinous, a watchful scribe 
Unmov'd by flatt'ry, fraud, or bribe, 
Sat to record Ms worthy name 
Who dar'd heroic entrance claim. — 
Oft as the gathering crowds assay 
To win their way, 
The warlike band 
Their force withstand. 
And back again they start, in dire dismay ! 

But now to hallo w'd courage keenly stung, 
A hardy veteran, of heroic front, 
Dauntless stood forth, and of his honour'd name 

Challenged prompt record. 

Pledg'd thus to abide the fight's severest brunt, 
c2 



52 

Instant he grasp'd his faithful sword ; 

His helmet firmly bound ; 
And rush'd on the stern guards. — The valorous charge 
Rous' d them to fury : Many a deadly stroke 
They dealt, not bloodless ; yet, full oft, their steel 
Bluntly recoil'd from the brave champion's crest; 
While firm, collected, valiant, he sustained 

The sanguinary shock : And now, in turn, 

The' assailant he assumed : His ev'ry stroke 

Dealt wounds or death: till through the happy gate 

He hew'd free passage ; bearing on his brow 

In honourable scars, a victor's right.* 

— Loud rang the palace with triumphant song 

From the bright choir, chanting in sweet accord 

This welcome strain : 

f Come in, Come in; 

1 Eternal Glory thou shalt win/ 
Onward the Conq'ror mov'd, admitted now 
To full fraternity, and, with solemn pomp 
Vestur'd in princely robes of flowing gold. 

1 Truly/ said Christian, smiling, ' this bold scene 
1 Methinks I comprehend. M — And now, thus train'd, 
I set me to depart. — 

• Acts xiv. 22. 

1 Many desire the joys and glories of heaven, according to their carnal 
ideas of them; hut few are willing to "fight the good fight of faith" 
against the combined opposition of the world, the flesh, and the devil: yet 
without a fixed purpose to do this, resulting from divine grace, profession 
will at length end in apostacy. And if we habitually fear any mischief 
that our enemies can attempt against us, more than corning short of salva- 
tion, we shallcertainly perish, notwithstanding our u<>tion*and conviction* 



53 

Int. Nay, wait, my Son, 

What yet remains for profitable note, 
Then, go thy way. ] 

— So saying, a deep dungeon's drear abyss 
They venture down : but nought save horrid gloom 
And clammy death damp, seem'd to linger there ! — 
Anon, by one dim crevice-gleam, they glance 
A haggard form, in rugged iron cag'd, 
Pale as a midnight spectre ! Prone, and stark, 
And plunged in the dense void, sunk his wild gaze ! 
His skeleton hands, bone within bone fell clasp'd ! 
While from his breaking heart, heav'd the drawn sigh 
Of uttermost despair ! 

The Pilgrim mus'd 
In mournful sympathy ; and briefly questioned 
The captive's dolorous tale. 

* Ah me V replied the miserable man., 
i I was not once as now V 

Chr. Speak — speak thy bitter change. 



We should, therefore, count our cost, and pray for courage and constancy, 
that we may give in our names as in earnest to win the prize: then, " put- 
" ting on the whole armour of God," we must fight our way through with 
patience and resolution; while many, "being harnessed and carrying 
44 bows," shamefully " turn back in the day of battle." 

1 The time, spent in acquiring knowledge and sound j udguient, is far 
from lost, though it may seem to retard a man's progress, or interfere with 
his more active services: and thenextemblem is admirably suited to teach 
the convert watchfulness and caution. 



54 

* In brighter days/ 
Sigh'd the desponding Shade, (' Oh, falsely bright!) 
1 In high profession of Eternal Truth 
1 I flourish'd fair: — fair in mine own conceit, 
1 And boast of all around : yea, fondly I press'd 
' In confidence of pride, my self-plann'd way 
1 To endless bliss, and panted for the prize 
' With unfeign'd ardour/* 

' But what art thou now?' 
Said Christian, shuddering as he bent his ear 
To the dread answer. 

' Victim of Despair V 
(Groan'd out the hollow-thund'ring voice;) ' Shut up — 
4 My lost — lost soul in vengeful woe shut up, 
' As in this cage my body! — Never more 
1 To pass that gulph! — O, never!' — 

Cur. But how sunk 

Thy tow'ring hope to nethermost despair? 

Prisoner. I banish 'd sober watchfulness: — My lusts 
Grown headstrong, on their stubborn neck I laid 
The feeble reins: — I sinn'd against the light 
Of God's own Word: — His goodness I abus'd: — 
His Holy Spirit, griev'd, forsook my soul: 
J lur'd the Tempter, and he enter'd there : — 

• Luke viii. 13 



55 

The God I spurn'd rebellious, mocks my cry :* 
So hard my heart, I cannot now repent :— 
Oh — now I cannot ! 

Chr. But may no beam of hope 

Yet break this double midnight of thy soul? 

Pr. None none Oh none ! 

Chr. Yet sure, that gracious Friend, 
The Son of the Blessed, will not cast thee off 
For ever ! — Still, Compassion is his Name, 
His Nature, Love. 

Pr. Him I have crucified 

Afresh :f — Despis'd his Person ;|~-Set at nought 
His saving Righteousness : — His precious blood 
Deem'd an unholy thing : — Yea, done despite 
To his good Spirit !§ — Thus have I shut out 
From HeavVs free Promises my wretched soul, 
And nought remains my everlasting due, 

But Threats : -tremendous, righteous, faithful threats 

Of fiery vengeance, hastening to devour 
Me as an adversary. 

Chr. But for what 

Could'st thou thus barter HeavVs peculiar Grace ? 

* Prov. i. 24—26. 
-f Heb. vi. 4—6 $ Luke xix. 14. $ Keb. x. 2S. 89. 



56 

Pr. For sordid lusts, vile pleasures, worldly gain : — 
Each promis'd full delight : — But now, Oh noio 
They haunt and sting me like a burning worm ! 

Chr. Yet wherefore may'st thou not repent and turn? 

P r. Repentance God withholds me : — His sworn Word 
Forbids me to believe : Yea, his own hand 
Hath in this iron bondage barr'd me down 

Thus hopeless! O Eternity ! Eternity ! 

How shall I grapple with the pangs that wait 
My soul through vast Eternity l 1 

' Behold, my Son/ said the paternal Sage, 
4 In this man's woe thy everlasting warning/ 

Chr. Such dreadful doom may God my heart incline 
With watchful diligence and ceaseless prayer, 
To ponder and avert. 

Interp. Now wait one lesson more, and then depart. 

1 CHRISTIAN'S discourse with the man in the iron cage, sufficiently 
explains the author's meaning-: but it has often been observed, that the 
man's opinion of his own case does not prove that it was indeed desperate. 
Doubtless such fears prevail in some cases of deep despondency, when there 
is every reason to conclude them groundless; and we should always pro- 
pose the free jiiarc of the gospel to those that have sinned in the most 
aggravated manner, especially when they become sensible of their guilt 
and danger. Yet it is an awful fact, that some are thus ' shut up under 
4 despair/ beyond relief: and " it is impossible to reuewthem to repentance." 
So that no true penitent can be in this case : and we are commanded •' in 
" meekness to instruct those that oppose themselves, if peradventuie God 
11 will give them repentance." But we should leave the doom of apparent 
apostates to God; and improve their example, as a warning to ourselves 
and others, not to venture one step in so dangerous a path. — This our 
author has judiciously attempted in a most striking manner, and God 
forbid that I should in the least counteract his obvious intention 



57 



* — ' As thus he spake, 

They enter a lorn chamber, dreary and dim 
With early twilight. From his restless couch 
Sprang, shuddering, an emaciate form, as one 
Haunted by haggard Fantasies. — 

Chr. What ails 

That lonely trembler! 

Interp. Hear his own sad plaint. 

* This night/ falter'd the suff'rer, c 'midst my dream 
1 Methought the heav'ns grew black : while through the void 
' Rag'd wrathful thunder-crash, and bolted flame. 
' In agony of guilt I gazM around. — 
4 The clouds rack'd horribly : — The trump of doom 

* PeaFd from on high: — The Judge tremendous, thron'd 
1 On a bright cloud, in glorious pomp came down : 

* His myriad hosts, weapon'd with vengeful fire, 

* To the dread advent throng'd : when, lo ! a voice — 

* A voice from the mid heav'n — " Arise, ye dead, 

" And come to judgment !" — Pale from sepulchral rock, 
i Rent grave, and yawning flood, the dead came forth.* 
1 Some, changing bright from earthly to divine^ 
' With hopeful joy gaz'd upward. Others, lapsed 

* To foul satanic semblance, crav'd aloud 

' 'Neath the crush' d mountains an eternal tomb !f 



• John v. 28, 29. 1 Cor. xv. 51—58. 2 Thess. i. 7—10. Jude 14* 15. 
Rev. xx. 11—15, t Psa. 1. 1—3, 22. Isa. xxri. 20, 21 ,j Mic. vii. 16, 17. 

C3 



58 

1 Anon, the Judge his fateful book unclosd, 

1 (Now summ'd complete) and bade the world draw near; 

' — Buoyant on surging- vapour, rose at once 

1 The congregated Universe ! — thus borne, 

' Till, on the verge of uncreated light, 

' All — all stood pois'd ! all rang'd infallible, 

' As each, self-doomed, in conscious hope or fear 

1 Waited his just award !* Then, sounded forth — 

1 ( — O still it harrows my tormented soul,) 

' Th' irrevocable mandate. " Gather first 

" The tares, the chaff, the stubble, to the lake 

" Of Jire unquenchable!" — ' That instant, yawn'd 

' Ev'n at my feet, th' unfathomable gulph ! — 

' Down, down to central fire, th' ejected crew 

1 Rush'd headlong ! whilst, by torrid whirlwinds driv'n, 

' The billowy sulphur whelm'd them as they plung'd 

' HelFs throng'd abyss! — Excruciate in suspense, 

' Alone I stood ; when thus again the Judge, 

1 Ineffably benign: — " Gather my wheat 

" To the celestial garnet\"-\ — The blest charge 

1 Sped each bright angel for some kindred saint, 

1 Nor one return' d unsocial :J — But, for me — 

' O, horror !. — no kind angel stoop'd for me ! — 

6 I sought swift refuge from the' all- piercing Eye 

* That menac'd me. — Vain hope ! — Still, still it prob'd 

* Mine inmost soul ; by conscious guilt prejudged 



• Dan. vii. 9, 10. Mai. iii. I, 3. 
+ Mai iv. 1,2. Matt. iii. 12. xiii. 30. Luke iii. 17. | i Tin's*, iv. l:t- \\. 



59 

1 To merciless perdition !* — WelVring thus 
4 In pangs of uttermost despair, I woke/ — 

* Son,' said Interpreter, ' hast thou ponder'd well 
1 These lively mysteries V 

Chr. Yea ; and they move me 

To mingled hope and fear. 1 

In terp. Be these henceforth 

Thy goad and safeguard through thy destined way. 

The Pilgrim now close girding him, prepar'd 
For fresh adventure ; while his rev 'rend Host 
The Comforter's blest aid invok'd, and breath'd 

A fervent benediction : Thus they parted ; 

And Christian thoughtfully his course pursu'd. 

■ Rom. ii. 14, 15. 

1 Our safety consists in a due proportion or* hope and fear : when devoid 
of hope, wertssmble a ship without an anchor; when unrestrained by 
fear, we are like the same vessel under full sail without ballast. T Indis- 
criminate censures of all fear as the result of unbelief, and unguarded 
commendations of strong confidence, without respect to the spirit aud 
conduct of professors, not only lead to most fatal self deception, but also 
tend to make believers unstable, unwatchful, and even uncomfortable; 
for the humble can never attain that presumptuous confidence which is 
thus represented as essential to faith; and true comfort is the effect of 
watchfulness, diligence, and circumspection. 

* 1 Pet. i, 13—17. 



THE 



PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 



BOOK III. 



A safe well travelFd course before him lay, 
On either hand with high munition skreen'd 
Of strong Salvation.* Here, with laboring speed, 
The zealous Pilgrim journey'd, till he gain'd 
A smooth-slop'd hill, crown'd with a gory Cross !— 
Deep in a rock that fenced that sacred height, 
Was sunk, unportaFd, a sepulchral cave : 
When, lo ! as near the Cross rev'rent he paus'd, 
Down dropt his ponderous load! and, self-impell'd 
RolFd on ; till, swift within the cavern plun g'd, 
It vanishM, and he saw that pest no more I 1 

* Isa. xx vk I. 

1 Nothing can release the believer from his burden except the clear dis- 
covery of the nature and glory of redemption.— When in this diviue light 



62 

As one who, through along, long, restless night, 
Heav'd, panted ^ groan'd, beneath the giant weight 
Of torpid Incubus ; with sudden start 
Breaks joyous from the spell, he knows not how; 
So Christian reft of his dread cumbrance, breathes 
New liberty, new life ; nor scarce can deem 
The blest reverse substantial: till, again 
As on the bleeding Cross intense he gaz'd, 
The dizzy torrent of tumultuous joy 
Sunk to a holy calm. — Full well he knew 
To read that sacred symbol ; and, to His praise, 
The Victim there once offer'd, thus brake forth. — 

' His bitter woes have bought my peace, 

1 His painful toils my rest ; 
' His death my life ; — life without end, 

1 On high among the blest*' 

Thus sang the Pilgrim ; and again revolv'd 
In hallow'd silence his myterious change 

At sight of that dear Cross. There, still he gaz'd, 

Till from his eyes a mingled flood roll'd down 



the soul contemplates the Kedf emei's cross, and discerns more clearly his 
love to lost sinners in dying tor them; the motive and efficacy of his in- 
tense sufferings; the glory of thediviue perfections harmoniously displayed 
in this surprising- expedient for saving the lost ; the honour of the divine 
law and government, and the evil and desert of sin most energetically 
proclaimed, even in pardoning transgressors and reconciling enemies ; and 
the perfect freeness and sufficiency of this salvation; — then "his con- 
" science is purged from dead works to sfrve the living God," by ;i simple 
reliance on the atoning blood of EMMANUEL. This deliverance from the 
burden of guilt is in some respects final, as to the well-instructed and con. 
iiitent believer : his former sins are buried, no more to be his terr( r and 
distress. 



63 

Of blissful wonder, gratitude, and love ;f 

When lo ! three Shining Ones all heav'nly bright, 

Breathing ethereal fragrance, tended him, 

And bade him ' Peace V — Then, with a beamy smile 

That sunn'd the soul, the first, their godlike prince, 

Imperative announced his sins forgiv'n :f 

Another, for his abject weeds supplied 

Celestial change of raiment ;l whilst the third, 

A sacred token on his forehead press'd 

Indelible : and, with a deeply-solemn charge, 

Presented a seal'd Roll,§ thenceforth ordain'd 

His solace, and at the celestial Gate 

His heav'n-appointed passport. Thus fulfill'd 

Their faithful embassage, on viewless wing 

They vanished : while with merry heart, light step,. 

And grateful song, Chpjstian pursu'd his way. 1 

Now slowly winding down the gentle steep, 
Three lawless sots he noted, slumbering deep 
Hard by the highway side, on trespass ground, 



* Zech. xii. 10. + Mark ii. 5. 4rZech iii. 4. \ Eph i. 13. 

1 CHRISTIAN'S tears, amidst his gladness, intimate, that deliverance 
from guilt, by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, tends to increase 
sorrow for sin, and abhorrence of it; though it mingles even those 
affections with a sweet and solid pleasure. — By the \ three shining ones, 
the author alludes to the ministration of angels, as in some way subservient 
to the comfort of the heirs of salvation. — The mark in the forehead evi- 
dently signifies the renewal of the soul to holiness^ while the Roll with 
the seal upon it, denotes such an assurance of acceptance, as appears most 
clear and satisfactory, when the believer m^st attentively compares him- 
self with the holy Scriptures. — It could not possibly be intended to ascribe 
these effects to any otrer a»ent than the Holy Spirit, for he alone as the 
Spirit of adoption enables a man to exercise in a lively manner all filial 
affections towards God ; and thus bears witness with his conscience, that 
his sins are pardoned, that he is justified by faith in the righteousness cm 
EMMAIf UEL, a child of God, and an heir of heaven. 



64 

And each in felon chains securely bound. 
—Compassion touch'd the Pilgrim : He drew near, 
\od this loud larum thundered in their ear. 

1 Awake! arise! — 'Mid snares and foes 
' Ye linger here in mad repose, 
4 Like slumb'rers on a giddy mast,* 

1 A dead sea spreads around ; 
1 And thither cast, 
' Behold, a fatal gulph profound! — 

' The lost wretch sinks beneath, 

* To everlasting death ! — 
* Th' infernal tyrant ye obey, 
' Lurks like a lion for his prey :f — 
1 Awake ! arise ! while time assures 
4 Freedom and life may yet be yours V 

The solemn call scarce heard, they scorn to rise: 
Disdainfully they lift their languid eyes, 
And each in peevish tone prefers his plea. — 
Simple no threatening gulph can see : 
Sloth his lov'd quiet fain would keep, 
And cries, " A little folding of the hands to sleep!' 7 

Presumption mocks each friendly call, 
And vows, by his own wit to stand, or fall. 
Then, into deadlier slumber than before, 
Anon they sink, perchance to wake no more L J 

• Prov. xxiii. 34. +1 Pet. v. 8. 

1 The three allegorical persons here introduced, are nearly related ; 
they appear to he pilgrims, but are a little out of the way, asleep, and 
Mured. Many hear, and learn to talk about the peculiar doctrines of 



65 

The Pilgrim left them, griev'd ; and, as lie musM 
On their dead stupor and impending peril, 
He spied, just stealing o'er the lofty wall, 
Fair-seeming Formalist, and his crafty mate, 
Hypocrisy. Demurely they approached him ; 
Their greeting he return'd, and thus began. 

Chr. Whence come ye, Sirs, and whither are ye bound t 

Hy. We come from the fair village of Vain-Glory, 
And hasten to Mount Zion; there to present 
Our sacrifice of praise. 

Chr. But why have ye shunn'd 

The Gate of lawful entrance ? Know ye not 
i Who enters not the door, but basely climbs 
* Some other way, shall be accounted one 
' With thieves and robbers ?'* 

For. Judge not so severely 

Our trifling fault, (if fault it must be calFd) — 
All pilgrims from our land, shunning to toil 

* John x. 1. 

Christianity, and have transient convictions, who yet cleave to the world,, 
and rest more securely ia the bondage of sin and Satan, by means of 
their profession of religion. They reject or pervert all instruction, hate 
all trouble, yet are confideut that every thing is and will be well with 
them ; while teachers after their own hearts lull them with a Syren's 
song, by confounding the form with the power of godliness : and if any 
one attempt, in the most affectionate manner, to warn them of their 
danger, they answer (according to the tenor of the words here used) ' Mind 
1 your own business ; we see no danger ; you shall not disturb our compo- 
4 sure, or induce us to make so much ado about religion. See to yourselves, 
1 and leave us to ourselves.' Thus they sleep on till death and judgment 
awake them, 



66 

Through that far-distant Gate, o'erleap this fence 
Fearless and free. 

Chr. And think ye then to stand 

Guiltless, who thus rebel against the will 
Of ZiON'sKing? 

Hy. Leave all events to us. — 

By well-establish'd custom we abide : 
That better law, from age to age confirmed 
By uniform observance. 

Chr. But will your plea 

Serve at a strict tribunal? 

Hy. What shall set 

Aside our ancient and undoubted right? — + 

Nay, what high privilege surpassing ours, 
Hast thou to boast? — Thou through that distant Gate 
Art but within the way, and are not we, 
Who overclimb'd the wall? 

Chr. Vainly ye strive 

To cloke your guilt : — / by my master's rule 
This course maintain; You, of your own proud will. 
Our rightful Lord ev'n now accounts you thieves, 
And shall ye prove true pilgrims at his bar?— 
Ye who against his bidding trespass here, 
Without his mercy shall be banish'd hence. 

For. Look to thyself: We doubt not our warm zeal 



67 

For laws and ordinances will match with thine. 
Then what rare preference canst thou fairly boast 
Distinct from us, save in that dainty robe 
So costly-fine? And yet ev'n that, perchance, 
Was giv'n to hide some gross deformity. 

Chr. No zeal for other laws and ord ? nauces 
Can ever mitigate your daring trespass,* 
Who came not by the door; and, for this robe, 
'Twas freely giv'n me by my Lord, in token 
Of his most princely love, and (ev'n as ye taunt) 
To cover my foul shame, till then expos' d 
In rags. — Moreover, on my forehead shines 
(By you perchance o'erlook'd) the King's own signet ; 
Stampt by his Herald in that happy hour 
When the disastrous burden I so long 
Had borne, fell suddenly : — Yea, then this Roll 
Was granted me, for solitary cheer, 
And sacred counsel through my lonesome way, 
And my sure passport at the heav'nly Gate.— 
All these ye lack; — all that could truly prove 
Your valid entrance here. 1 

* Gal. ii. 16. 

1 The true Christian will always be troubled at the vain confidence of 
many professors :■ but he is more surprised by it at rirst than afterwards ; 
for he sets out with the idea, that all apparently religious people sincerely 
seek the salvation of their souls. But at length experience draws his 
attention to those parts of Scripture which mention far<?samong the wheat, 
and foolish virgins among the wise. — FORMALIST and HYPOCRISY soon 
come in his way. These are near relations : the first represents such as 
by notions and external observances deceive themselves; the second, those 
who more grossly attempt to impose upon others. They are both actuated 
by \ain-glory, and seek the applause of men by their most zealous profes . 
sion and most specious actions, while the credit thus acquired subserves 
i*,lso. tn ir temporal interests; but repentance, conversion, and the life of 



68 

Mute, and amaz'd, 
The conscious vagrants on each other gaz'd, 
Then dropt behind ; and (their deep guile betray'd,) 
A hoarse loud laugh, with hard effronf ry bray'd: 
Whilst at alternate seasons sooth' d and pain'd, 
Christian his solitary course maintained, 
And oft from his fair Roll (at varying view 
Of each blest privilege,) sweet refreshment drew.* 

So faring, they approach that arduous hill 
The Mount of Difficulty. — To a fearful height, 
Crag heap'd on crag, steep pil'd on steep, it rose, 
Bald, drear, wild, rugged, to its cloud-veiFd peak ; 
That peak, by Pilgrims seldom seen, till won! 
— From the broad base, a clear perennial stream 
Of living water well'd : Whilst on each hand, 
Seductive slop'd a gently -winding way. — 
Here Christian paus'd awhile to meditate 
His upward course ; and, at that vital fount 
(Of sovereign virtue to sustain the soul) 
Drank needful vigour :* then, forward he press'd 

• Isa. xlix. 10. 
faith, would not only cost them too much labour, but destroy the very 
principle by which they are actuated. By a much 'shorter cut,' they 
become a part of the visible church, are satisfied with a form of godliness, 
and kept in countenance by the example of great numbers of professed 
( hiistians, in every age and place. Their confidence, however, will not 
bear the light of Scripture ; they, therefore, shrink from investigation, and 
treat with derision and reproaches all who would convince them of their 
fatal mistake, or shew them the real nature of evangelical religion. 

1 True Christians even when most assured of their acceptance, and com- 
petent to perceive the awful delusions of false professors, find cause for 
Mghs amidst their comforts, while employed in serious retired self-reflec- 
tioii. Nothing can exclude the uneasiness which arises from in-dwelling 
kin, and from the crimes and miseries they witness around them. 



69 

With panting ardour, up the narrow pass 

That midway climbs the mount. Meantime, arriv'd 

The shameless felons: but, the' appalling steep 

Instinctive shunning, down those recreant ways, 

(Broad Danger and Destruction, that seem'd safely 

Round the dread mount to lead them) swerv'd apart, 

In mutual confidence again to meet: 

But other destiny was theirs! — Vain Formalist, 

Anon entangled in the midnight maze 

Of a deep forest, lingered life away: 

While base Hypocrisy, to deserts drear, 

Heap'd with dark mountains, miserably stray'd ; 

There wander'd, stumbled, fell, — to rise no more! 1 

Now, zealously alert, Christian hadclimb'd 
The nethermost ridge : 
But soon to toilsome heed he slacked: — 



1 The hill Difficulty represents those seasons and situations which 
require peculiar self-denial aad exertion; and are suited to prove the 
believer's sincerity, after he has obtained * a good hope through grace." — 
The frowns of the world, and the sacrifice of temporal intertsts, outward 
circumstances of sharp affliction and distress, together with the painful 
task of overcoming inveterate evil habits, or constitutional propensities, 
(which during his first anxious earnestness seemed perhaps to be destroyed, 
though in fact ihey were only suspended ;) prove a severe test of his in- 
tegrity : but there can be no hope, except in pressing forward ; and the 
encouragements of the gospel prepare the soul for every conflict and 
effort. — But there are also by- ways; and the difficulty may often be a voided 
without a man's renouncing his profession \ he may decline the self-deny- 
ing duty, or refuse the demanded sacrifice, and find some plausible excuse 
to his own conscience, or among his neighbours. — The true believer how- 
•ever is suspicious of these easier ways, ou the right hand or on the left \ 
his path lies straightforward, and cannot be travelled without ascending 
the hill ; which he desires to do, because his grand concern is to be found 
right at last. But they, who chiefly desire at a cheap rate to keep up 
their credit and confidence, venture into perilous or ruinous paths, till 
they either openly apostatize, or get entangled iu some fatal delusion, and 
are heard of no more among the people of God. 



70 

Then, fell to painful grappling. — 

Full many a groan spoke his distress ; 

Yet, onward his perilous way he grop'd ; 

Now, sorely clogged with stubborn clay ; 

Now, tangled and scarr'dby thorny brakes ; 

A maze inextricable. — 

Here, overbalancing the crumbling verge 

Of somejagg'd precipice, as the wind sway'd him. 

There, balk'd by loose sands 

And rocky shingles, treacherous to the foot, 

(O bitter lapse of many a weary step!) 

Backward he slides. 

Thus, baffled and overspent, 

Full oft he throws above — athwart — around — 

An anxious, wilder'd, half-desponding gaze 

In search of some brief respite: When, behold! 

'Twixt two stern cliffs that crown'd the middle-steep, 

A level nook, spread with soft luxury 

Of mossy-tufted green, and lightly arch'd 

With a cool arbour! — for the template ease 

Of weary pilgrims, framed by the mount's great Owner. 

Thitherward Christian sprang with strength renewed, 

Like the rous'd eagle : till within the bower 

Safe lodg'd, he flings him down to vigilant rest; 

Then from his bosom, (fitlier to beguile 

The wakeful time,) his treasur'd Scroll he pluck'd, 

And, with a sacred zest, from its deep stores 

Drew cordial comfort; glancing the while, full oft 

Upon his comely robe, that call'd to mind 

The bleeding Cross, and the blest wonders there 



71 

Witnessed so late. — But solitary thought, 
Though bent on things divine, yielded anon 
To drowsy-coming stupor; till deep sunk 
In sound oblivious lethargy, he dropt, 
(Woe to that treacherous lapse!) his sacred Roll. — 
Thus, till declining day he slept: when, suddenly 
A warning voice kindly severe, thus hail'd him : — 
' Go to the ant, thou sluggard : — 
4 Consider her ways and be wise!'* 

Rous'd at that call, the Pilgrim inly thank' d 
His unseen Monitor, and, while the glow 
Of ruddy sunset lighted his career, 
He climb'd with lessening toil a smoother steep ; 
Till on the mount's high crest, joyous he leaps, 
And smiles on his past peril well repaid. 1 

Scarce had he clear'd the hills' last height, 
Ere two pale youths in frantic plight, 
(Mistrust and Timorous) at headlong speed 
Met him. He calmly stay'd their flight, 



1 The difficulties of believers often seem to increase as they proceed . 
yet their Lord helps them, and provides for their refreshment that they 
may not faint. — But it is, alas, very common for them to presume too 
much on their perseverance hitherto, or on the privileges to which they 
have been admitted ; and thus their ardour abates, their diligence aod 
vigilance are relaxed, and they venture to allow themselves some respite. 
Then drowsiness steals upon them, darkness envelopes their souls, the 
evidences of their acceptance are obscured or lost, and the event would be 
fatal, did not the Lord excite them to renewed earnestness by salutary 
warnings and alarms. Nor are they at any time more exposed to this 
temptation, than when outward ease hath succeeded to great hardships, 

Satiently and conscientiously endured: for at such a crisis they are least 
isposed to question their own sincerity; and Satan is sure to employ all 
his subtlety to lull them into security, and so in fact tempt them to abuse 
the Lord's special goodness vouchsafed to them. 



72 

And question'd what dire cause could breed 
Such wild extreme of panic fright. 

Timorous. Back ! — for thy life ! — To Zion bound, 
Yon horrid mount, with laboring breath, 

Dauntless we scaFd ; — but, o'er this ground', 
Another pace is instant death I — 

Mistrust. Yea — just a little on, we spied 
Haunting the road on either side, 
Two gory lions fierce as hell : — 
But, whether sleeping, 
Or their grim watch keeping, 
Let other pilgrims boldly spell. — 
Had ours been such wild errantry, 
We never returned to caution thee. 

A 

Chr. Such danger, ev'n at distant view 
Appalling, half unmans me too. 
Yet whither shall I fly ? 
If to my native home, I die. — 
Yea, fiery death awaits me there : 

Whilst, if I nobly dare, 
And once the heav'nly City gain, 
'Tis endless rest from foil and pain.— 
That thought resolves me to proceed 
Right zealously, befall what may : — 
Frail coward nature shrinks, indeed, 
From threat'ning dangers on the way; 
But, sure destruction, if I shun 
This bold adventure, goads me on. 



73 

The dastard recreants, ere he ceas'd, 
(For least delay their fears increas'd) 
Rush'd down the hill: while Christian stood 
A moment in considerate mood ; 
Then, vigilant his course pursu'd, 
And, eagerly, for his gifted Roll, 
Each rising terror to control, 
His bosom searched, but searched in vain! — 
O heavy loss, and bitter bane ! — 

Stung to the soul 

With poignant dole, 
A burning blush, (so prompt to speak 
Each conscious fault) fever'd his cheek, 
As mournfully he calPd to mind 

That guilty hour, 
When in soft slumber he reclined 
'Neath the delicious bow*r ! 
In contrite agony he kneel'd, 
And to his Lord's known grace appealed ; — 
Nor aught but grace he dar'd to plead, 
For pardon of that foolish deed. 
Then, rising, with perturbed haste 
And weary footsteps, he retraced 
In anxious search his backward road, 
With many a chast'ning tear bestrow'd : 
Thus his sad errand he pursues, 
'Mid gathering gloom and falling dews, 
Till once again that bow'r he views, 
Whose guilty bliss his heart assails 
With rankling shame — and thus aloud he wails. 
D 



74 

' Wretch that I was ! to waste my precious day 
t In sinful slumbers there !* Yea, close beset 
' With difficulty and danger, lull the flesh — 

* That traitor to my. soul—abusing thus 
' Its lawful cherishing, to carnal sloth ! 

* How many a painful step thrice track'd, must drain 

' My needful strength ; while sorrow weighs me down 
c Heartless, in that blest path I else had trod 
' With vigorous delight ! — Ev'n now the day 
' Melts into gloomy night-fall !— O, how far 
' By this late hour — perhaps to some safe lodge, 

* My onward course had borne me! — Wretch that I am ! 
1 O, sottish, sinful sleep ! n 

To grief thus wrought, 
He reached the sad scene of his hated fault. 



• 1 Thess. v. 7, 8. Rey. ii. 4, 5. 

1 Some persons are better prepared to struggle through difficulties, than 
to face dangers. Alarming convictions induce them to exercise a temporary 
self-denial, and to exert themselves with diligence; yet the very appear 
ance of persecution drives them back to their forsaken courses and com- 
panions. Through unbelief, distrust and timidity, they fear the rage of 
men more than the wrath of God ; and never consider how easily the Lord 
can restrain or disarm the fiercest persecutors. Even true christians are 
often alarmed by the discourse of such persons, but as they believe the 
word of God, they are " moved by fear" to go forward at all hazards, and 
are excited to renewed self-examination by the holy Scriptures. This 
discovers to them those decays in the vigour of their affections, and con- 
sequently in the evidence of their acceptance, which had before escaped 
their notice. — CHRISTIAN'S perplexity; remorse, complaints, and self-re- 
proachings when he missed his KolKand went back to seek it,exactly suit 
the experience of humble and conscientious believers, when unwatchful- 
ness has brought their state into uncertainty : but they do not at all accord 
to that of professors who strive against ail doubts indiscriminately, more 
than against any sin whatever, unless connected with open scandal ; who 
labour hard to keep up their confidence against evidence, amidst continued 
negligence and allowed sins ; and exclaim against sighs, tears, and tender- 
ness of conscience, as legality and unbelief. 



75 

With hurried, fruitless search, he pry'd around, 
Then sunk desponding on the chilly ground, 
And wept again : when, lo ! at blissful chance 
His sorrowful and downward glance 
Beneath the shrubby settle spied 
His heart's best pride, 
His long lost treasure !— 
O, what can measure 
The bliss of that bright moment ? Not that ray, 
The polar beacon of the wafry way, 

Unshrouded sudden to the view 
Of some night-found'ring crew, 
Through the dense gloom e'er broke more joyously. 
Eager he seiz'd, and, to his throbbing breast 
The prize with ardour prest ; 
Grateful to Him, who taught Ms eye 
That better pole-star to descry.— 

With very ecstacy constrained to weep, 
Alert he climb'd the now familiar steep : 
But ere he scal'd the crest, Night with her pall 
Of half-oblivious shade enshrouded all, 
And steep'd his pale brow in her icy dews ; 
When thus his rankling grievance he renews. 

4 O sinful sleep ! How for one wasted hour 
' Of precious day, slav'd in thy treacherous arms, 
' Hast thou seduc'd me thus with doleful toil 
' To grope my sunless path ! — The rav'ning roar 
4 Of hungry monsters (dreadful ev'n at rest, 
d2 



76 

( As late reported me) assails my ear ! 

1 And, prowling now abroad, my forfeit life 

' Shall doubtless glut their rage!' l 

As thus he pac'd 
Tremblingly circumspect, that savage waste, 
A saintly dome he mark'd with fix'd amaze, 
In snowy beauty, glimmering through the haze. 
Anxious toward that hop'd retreat he sped, 
Till, just within a narrow glen that led 
To the main porch, he spied with sore dismay 
Watchfully couch'd on either side the way, 
The dreaded lions. — With suspended breath 
He paus'd 'twixt flight, and fear of instant death. 
But ere he ends that perilous debate, 
Watchful (strict Warder of the postern gate) 
Thus hail'd him. 

1 Is thy courage then, so faint?* 
' Fear not these raging lions: — Heavy chains 
1 Confine their fury, and they haunt this gate 
6 Permitted, for the trial of true faith, 
' And sure detection of each false pretender. — 
* Keep thou the midway track, and pass secure/ 

Thus cheer'd, the Pilgrim with slow stealth advanc'd : 

• Mark iv. 20. 

1 Believers may recover their evidences of acceptance, and yet suffer 
many troubles as the effects of their past unwatchfulness. The Lord re- 
bukes and chastens those whom he loves, and the true penitent is least dis- 
Eosed to forgive himself, when most satisfied that the Lord hath forgiven 
im. 



77 

Yet fitfully at each tremendous roar 

A shuddering horror seiz'd him, till, anon 

With one hold spring the monsters' length of chain 

He clear'd securely; and, in delirious joy, 

Rush'd to the palace-gate. — Thus past all peril, 

Soon as collected breath had given him voice, 

He ask'd whose was that princely dome, and crav'd 

Permission there to rest. 

* This princely pile/ replied 
The friendly sentinel, ' owns one common Lord 
6 With yonder mount. RearM in unfading splendour, 
< He nam'd it Beautiful; and there ordains 
c For all true pilgrims hospitable cheer 
* And safe repose. 1 — But tell me, whence art thou, 
' And whither going — and thy name/ 



1 Hitherto CHRISTIAN has heen a solitary pilgrim', but we must next 
consider him as admitted to the communion of the faithful, and joining 
with them in the most solemn public ordinances. This is represented 
under the emblem of the house BEAUTIFUL, and the Pilgrim's entertain- 
ment in it. — Mr. Bunyan was a protestant dissenter: he must, therefore, 
have intended to describe especially the admission of the new convert as a 
member of a dissenting church, (which consists of communicants only,) 
upon a profession of faith: but he has expressed himself so candidly and 
cautiously, that his representations may suit the admission of members 
into the society of professed Christians, in any communion, where a serious 
regard to spiritual religion is in this respect maintained. Such societies 
are indeed very beautiful, honourable to God, conducive to mutual edifica- 
tion, and examples to the world around them. A public profession of 

faith exposes a man to more opposition from relatives and neighbours, 
than a private attention to religion; and in our author's days it was com- 
monly the signal for persecution : for which reason he places the lions in the 
road to the palace gate. Sense perceives the dangers; and the imagina- 
tion, through the suggestions of Satan, exceedingly magnifies them : but 
faith alone can discern the secret restraints which the Lord lays on the 
minds of opposers; and the vigilant pastors of the flock will obviate their 
fears, and by seasonable admonitions animate them to press forward, as- 
sured that nothing shall do them any real harm, and that all shall eventu- 
ally prove beneficial to them. 



78 

Chr. I come from afar, 

Ev'n from the wrath-doom'd City of Destruction, 
. A pilgrim to Mount Zion. Lately, my name 
Was Graceless: — (from the race of Japheth* sprung, 
Whose dwelling was within the tents of Shem.) 
But the fair registry of Zion's King 
Records me ' Christian;' and that name I plead 
For entrance here. 

Watchful, But wherefore art thou thus 

Belated? 

Chr, O, 'tis my bitter shame to tell! — - 
Wretch that I am ! — Seated within the covert 
Of that green arbour midway up the mount, 
Unwarily I slept: Yet still, perchance, 
By diligent speed I had outstript these shades ; 
But, just as I had scal'd the hill, I miss'd 
My precious evidence — this sacred Roll ! 
With anguish and remorse I hasted back, 
And in the guilty bow'r found my heart's treasure. — 
The rest thou knowest. 1 

Watch. A little longer stay 

• Gen. ix. 27. 

1 The Porter's enquiries and CHRISTIAN'S answers exhibit our author's 
sentiments, on the caution with which members should be admitted into 
the communion of the faithful.— CHRISTIAN assigned his sinful sleeping 
and the loss of his Roll, as the cause of his arriving so late ■ for when be- 
lievers are oppressed with prevailing doubts of their acceptance, they are 
backward in joining themselves to the people of God; and this often 
tempts them to sinful delays, instead of exciting them to greater diligence. 



79 

Thy patience, till the chief virgin of this house 
I call, and she thy worthiness approve. 



Prompt at his call, a lovely Vestal came, 
With matron-step, and ever-thoughtful brow : — 
(Discretion was her name,) who, in soft speech 
Benignly scrutinous, the Pilgrim task/d, 
Briefly to touch his chequer'd history :-— 
His artless tale a tearful smile diffused 
O'er her fair cheek :— She paused, to chide away 
The sudden, sweet infirmity ; then, swiftly, 
The grateful tidings through the palace spread, 
Of a new guest arrived, and worthy proved. 
Soon she return'd, and with her, hand in hand- 
Like kindred lilies in their spotless prime, 
Came Prudence, Piety, and their sister-queen 
All-graceful Charity. — Heart-greeting dealt 
Around, they led the Pilgrim in full peace 
To a resplendent hall, from whose high roof 
A crystal lamp depended, showering around 
Pure sunny daylight ; and, at the threshold, rang'd 
In courteous order, many a smiling guest 
With glowing joy thus welcomed him. 

' Come in, thou blessed of the Lord! Come in;— 
* Come, share our ever-peaceful home/ 

The Pilgrim bow'd 
In lowly token of unworthiness, 
And, meekly following, gratefully partook 
A brief repast. Then, ere the household met 
At their blest evening board, 'twas jointly purposed 



80 

Each of the Sister-Graces should discourse 
With their new guest improvingly : l and first 
Seraphic Piety, mark'd by her starry zone 
And eyes of heav'nly radiance, thus addressed him. 

' Full well I know thy readiness to devise 
1 Some due return for thy reception here, 
1 Nor canst thou more acceptably requite us, 
1 Than freely to relate thy chequer'd story/ 2 

Chr. Most willingly I further a request 
So well beseeming this bright company. 

Pi. Say then, what first constraint thee to set forth 
On pilgrimage? 

Chr. A dreadful rumour in mine ear 

Of sure destruction on my native city, 
Drove me from thence ; — at first, a wretched outcast, 
Not knowing where to rove. 



1 The brief account of himself given by CHRISTIAN to DISCRETION, 
at her request, constitutes the proper external qualification for admission 
to the Lord's table, when there is nothing in a man's principles and con- 
duct inconsistent with them; for the Lord alone can judge how far they 
accord to the inward dispositions and affections of the heart. — By the dis- 
course of others belonging to the family with CHRISTIAN, previously to 
his admission, the author probably meant, that members should be admit, 
ted into christian societies with the approbation of the most prudent, 
pious, and candid part of those that constitute them ; and according to 
the dictates of those graces or endowments here personified. 

2 The further conversation of PIETY and her companions with CHRIS- 
TIAN, was subsequent to his admission, and represents the advantage of the 
communion of the saints, and the best method of conductiug it.-— To lead 
believers to a serious review of the way in which they have been led hi- 
therto, is in all respects profitable, as it tends to increase humiliation, 
gratitude, faith, and hope ; and must, therefore, proportionably conduce 
to the glory of God, and the edification of their brethren. 



81 

Pi. What then inclined thee 

To take this way ? 

Chr. 'Twas Heaven alone befriended me. — 

Desponding, trembling, weeping, as I stood 
At my worst need, behold, that man of God, 
Evangelist, like a mission'd angel came; 
And, by a clear light in the distant sky, 
Directed me to find the friendly Wicket 
That passed me here. 

Pi. But staid you not awhile 

With the renown'd Interpreter? 

Chr. Yea; long 

I tarried beneath his roof, and death alone 
Can blot the mem ? ry of each wond'rous scene 
I witnessed there. But specially I noted 
How, in despite of Satan's enmity, 
The great Messias thrives his work of Grace 

In hearts renewed. How one had sinn'd his soul 

To merciless despair: Another, scar' d, 

From his lone bed sprang trembling, who had dream'd 
The day of doom was come, and Hell his just 
And endless portion. 'Twas so fearfully 
Portrayed, my very heart did ache to hear it; 
Yet oh ! it couch'd for me a timely lesson. 

Pi. What else of note impress'd thee? 
d3 



82 

Chr. I beheld 

A stately palace, whose inhabitants 
Were cloth' d in gold. To the well-guarded gate 
Rush'd a brave Champion, resolute to win 
Prompt entrance.— -Through the armed sentinels 
He hew'd his way ; whereat, a thousand tongues 
Chanted his noble deed, and welcomed him 

To everlasting Glory. -These bright emblems 

Ravish'd my heart ; and, at that sacred school 
Long, long, I could have lingered, but my yet 
Far journey urg'd me to depart. 

Pi. What else 

Befel thee by the way ? 

Chr. A little onward 

I mark'd a gory cross ; and, with my mind's 
Entranced vision, viewed thereon suspended, 
That sacred Form by heav'n and earth ador'd. 
At that blest sight, down dropt a ponderous load 
Till then part of my very self UW Amaz'd, 
O'erjoy'd, still, still upon the wondrous cross 
Intensely meditant, I gaz'd ; when, lo ! 
Three visitants from heav'n, divinely bright, 

Saluted me. One, spake my sins forgiv'n: 

Another, mantled me with this fair robe: 
The third, with this mysterious signature 
My forehead press'd, and gave me this seal'd Roll. 

Pi. What more of special notice didst thou meet with, 
Till thy safe welcome here ? 



83 

Chr. On trespass ground, 

Hard by the King's highway, sorrowing I mark'd 
Three graceless men, Presumption, Simple, Sloth, 
Fast fetter'd bj^Jhe heel, and sunk in slumber 
That mock'd my zeal to rouse ! — Anon, X spied- 
Sly stealing oyer the wall, proud Formalist, 
And, at his heels, close muffled in disguise, 
Demure Hypocrisy.-— Full bent they seem'd 
For Zion ; but in fatal windings stray'd, 
And quickly perish'd ! — Faring now alone, 
I climb'd with perilous toil yon rugged mountain, 

And safely passed the raging lions : (thanks 

To the kind Porter's timely aid) till, spent 

With weariness and terror, I obtained 

By heavVs pure grace, a blest reception here.— • 

A brief pause followed ; — then, with a chastened smile, 
And well-weigh'd speech, fair Prudence thus enquired. 

Pr. Dost thou not sometimes haply think upon 
Thy native land ? 

Chr. Yea, but with deepest shame 

And settled loathing ; — else I might have found 
For prompt return full many a fair occasion; 
But my wean'd soul pants for a better home — 
A heav'nly country.* 

•Heb.xi. 16. 



84 

Pr. Yet bear'st thou not ev'n now 

Some vicious taint of former vanities ? 

Chr. Truly — and most inveterate of all, 
Carnal emotions, like a oank'ring plague 
Beset me ; but abhorrent from each thought 
My soul recoils; and bitterly I grieve 
That when I would do best, this worst of evils 
Is present with me. 

Pr. Yet, sometimes, perchance, 

Their rebel force seems vanquish'd. 

Chr. Yea, some bright 

Some golden hours, the victory appears 
Compleat — but these are rare ! — 

Pr. And whence proceeds 

At those blest visitings, thy partial triumph? 

Chr. From ev'ry fresh remembrance of the Cross; 
From an admiring sight of this fair robe ; 
From grateful pondering of this sacred Roll ; 
And cheering prospect of my heav'nly home. 

Pr. What chiefly draws thy best affections there? 

Chr. There, in His living presence I shall stand. 
Who on the cross expir'd; — There, sin no more 



85 

Shall harass or defile, nor death destroy.* 
In sweet accord with kindred spirits, there 
For ever I shall dwell; for ever join 
The rapturous song of ' Holy, Holy, Holy ! n 

Here Prudence meekly paus'd; when Charity 
With frank address the' enquiry thus renew'd. 

Cha. Bear'st thou a husband's, a fond parent's name? 

Chr. A wife and four sweet babes are mine — to mourn I 

Cha. Then wherefore didst thou leave thy precious 
charge 
Behind thee? 

Chr. Oh, with most winning tenderness, 

With anxious vehemence, with compassionate zeal, 
I warn'd them to escape, (witness these tears) — 
But all in vain! — I seem'd as one that mock'dif — 
Nay, such was their nVd enmity, they strove 
To break my firm resolve. 

Cha. But didst thou pray 

For Heav'ns efficient blessing on thy counsel? 

• Isa. xxv. 8. Rev. xxi. 4. + Gen. xix. 14. 

i Men may learn any doctrine by human teaching, and relate by rote 
any experience; nay. general convictions, transient affections, and distinct 
notions, may impose upon the man himself, and he may mistake them for 
true conversion. ' The best method of avoiding this dangerous rock con- 
sists in daily self-examination, and constant prayer to be preserved from 
it : and, as far as the members of a christian society are concerned to form 
a judgment of each other in order to the performance of their mutual 
duties, prude nee is especially required, and will suggest such questions as 



86 

Chr. Yea, with soul-melting fervour I did plead—- 
What could I less for all I held most dear? 

Cha. What fond excuses kept them back ? 

Chr. My wife 

Was all for this vain world, and fear'd to lose it. 
My children priz'd beyond all other joys, 
The vanities of youth. 

Cha. But did no blot, 

No manifest discordance in thy life, 
Belie the winning accents of thy tongue, 
And make them void? 

Chr. No stainless rectitude 

Have I to boast, yet tenderly I shunn'd 
To mar my counsel by unseemly deeds : 
Yea, this my tender wariness of offence 
To God and man ; this self-denying constancy ; 
This, this alone was turned to my reproach ! 

Cha. Then peace be thine. — Since thus like impious 
Cain, 
Thy dearest kin, implacable to good, 
Contemn'd thy holier life, and thus held back 
For very enmity;* — sweet peace be thine! — 

* 1 John iii. 12. 

are hern proposed. The true christian's inmost feelings will best explain 
jrert. which no exposition can elucidate to those who are unac- 
quainted with the conflict to which they refer. — The golden hours (fleeting 
aud precious,) arcau earnest of the everlasting holy felicity of heaven. 



87 

Just heav'n records thee guiltless of their blood.* 1 
• 
Thus wan'd the night, till the bell's punctual sound 
Summoned the friendly household round 
Rich viands largely spread, combin'd 
With gen'rous vintage well refined: 
Pure temp'rance rul'd the feast; when, touched anew, 
With melting joy their converse they pursue. — 

Fervent they celebrate the' immortal fame 

Of their lov'd Lord, the Sovereign of the Mount. — 
His noble deeds of wisdom, justice, truth: 
His grant of their magnificent abode : 
His matchless might : His victories renown'd, 
O'er that accursed fiend, who wields so wide 
The pow'r of death :f — a triumph won severely 
With rich expence of the great Victor's blood, 
And peril of his life: — and, (glorious grace !) 
All for his country's good. 



Here each mov'd bosom 

Glow'd more intensely ; and fresh ardour kreath'd 
From ev'ry tongue. — Anon, a favour'd few 



* Ezek. iii. 19. t Heb. ii. 14, 15. 

1 When we know the value of our own souls, we shall become greatly 
solicitous for the souls of otheis. It is therefore a very suspicious circum- 
stance, whena man professing godliness shews no earnestness in persuading 
those he loves best to seek salvation : and it is absurd in the extreme to 
excuse this negligence by arguments taken from God's secret purposes, 
when these have no influence on the conduct of the very same persous in 
their temporal concerns !— Charity's discourse with Christian shews 
the real reasons why carnal men reject the gospel, 



88 

Rehears 'd the sweetly-solemn intercourse 
Held with their Lord, late from the Cross reviv'd: — 
How graciously he spake the Pilgrims 9 cause 
Nearest his heart! — How wondrous was his choice 
To stoop from Zion's hill with them to dwell! — 
How many an Outcast, abject, beggar-born, 
Sprung from the dunghill,* he had freely rais'd 
To princely grandeur, and a glorious throne: — 
And this, all purchas'd at stupendous cost 
Of his own glory, dignity, and bliss ! l 

Thus flow'd their fellowship, till the midnight hour 
Warn'd them to rest. — Their Lord's protecting care 
Crav'd with united fervour, they repos'd 
The' overwearied Pilgrim in a spacious loft 
With opening prospect tow'rd the rising day. — 
Peace was the chamber, and his slumbers sweet 
As cradled innocence ; till ruddy morning 
Peer'd through the lattice, and his joyous heart 

• 1 Sam. ii. 8. Psa. cxiii. 7. 

1 The administration of the Lord's supper is here emblematically de- 
scribed. In it the Person, humiliation, sufferings, and death of Christ, 
uith the motive and event of them, are kept in perpetual remembrance. — 
15 y seriously contemplating on these interesting subjects, with the em- 
blems of his body wounded, and his blood shed before our eyes; and by 
professing our cordial acceptance of his salvation, and surrender of our- 
selves to his service ; we find every holy affection revived and invigorated, 
and our souls humbled and softened in deep repentance, inspired with calm 
confidence, animated to thankful, zealous, self-denying obedience, and 
enlarged tender affection for our fellow-christians, with compassionate 
forgiving love of our most inveterate enemies.— The believer will readily 
apply the allegorical representation of the Lord of the hill," to the love 
of Christ for lost sinners; which ho words can adequately describe, for 
it passe th knowledge. 

• Isa. xxv. 6, 7. 



89 

Awoke to grateful praise. 1 — Alert he join'd 
The early household, who, with warm urgency, 
Courted his tarriance for instructive sight 
Of their domestic rarities. And first 
The spacious Registry they enter'd, pil'd 

With the long range of Time's remotest records. 

— Wrought on a golden tablature, he trac'd 

The high descent of their exalted Lord, 

Th' Eternal Son of his Eternal Father, 

The' Ancient of Days. And there, more full recounted 

His acts of favour to his blood-bought servants. 

There, stood in an ample volume, the blest names 

Of all his faithful Worthies, blazon'd with deeds 

Of honourable fame. 

How, firmly staid on strength divine, 

' Proud kingdoms they subdu'd ; 
' Wrought righteousness ; large promises obtained ; 

6 Quell'd the mad rage of lions ; 
6 Quenched, all unsear'd, the violence of fire ; 

* Death-doom'd, escap'd the vengeful sword ; 
* From utter weakness rose, dauntless and firm ; , 

* Wax'd valiant in the field ; 
' The banded hosts of aliens turned to flight.'* — 
— Such their high praise :— -and their assur'd reward 



• Heb. xi. 33, 34. 

1 That peace of conscience and serenity of mind, which follow a humble 
upright profession of faith in Christ, and communion with him and his 
people, is not the effect of a mere outward observance ; but of that inward 
disposition of the heart which is thus cultivated, and of the Lord's bless- 
ing on his own appointments. This is here represented by the chamber of 
PEACE: it raises the soul above the care and bustle of this vain world> 
and springs from the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness. 



90 

Rest in celestial mansions that survive 
All-cank'ring time, and nature's nothingness. 

— Next, from a blood-seal' d charter, the fair guides 
Rehears'd their Lord's free grace to the most vile : — 
To slave, apostate, rebel, traitor, — all, 
All who that grace appreciate. — Last, they explore 
Through many a monumental scroll, each fact 
Of worthiest note, from age to age brought down; 
With faithful prophecies in deep embryo hid, 
Or featured in the' event ; — the scorner's dread, 
The Pilgrim's hope and solace, 1 

Thus Christian clos'd 
The well-devoted day; and, the next morn, 
Led by each kind Conductress, visited 
The sacred Armoury. — There, sternly array'd, 
Above, around the solemn chamber, blaz'd 
Celestial panoply, for myriads stor'd ; — 
Bright-mar shall'd pomp for many a fatal field. — 
— The' all-conquering Sword ; the seven-fold Shield of 

Faith; 
Salvation's Helmet ; the firm Breast-plate wrought 
Of Righteousness Divine; All-prayer, that nerves 
Cowards to heroes; and the burnish'd Greaves 



1 Christian communion, properly conducted, tends to enlarge the be- 
^ acquaintance with the holy Scriptures: and this conduces to in- 
crease faith, hope, love, patience, and fortitude: to animate the soul in 
emulating the illustrious examples there exhibited; and to furnish in- 
llructioo for every good work. 



91 

With adamant shod, impervious to decay. 

— There too, the Pilgrim viewed, with curious note, 

The' all-potent enginery, to carnal sense 

Contemptible and weak. — The hallow'd Rod, 

By Moses miracle d with stupendous deeds 

Of grace and righteous wrath. The massive Nail, 

By Heber's blooming Spouse smit like heav'ns bolt 

Through Sisera's dormant brain : The piteher'd Lamps 

And deaf'niiag Trumpets, Gideon's wise deceit, 

Whose little band thus feebly weapon'd, scar'd 

The countless Midi anites to panic flight. 

The Goad, with whose firm point, Shamgar repuls'd 

A threatening host : The Bone by Samson gor'd 

With Dagon's worshippers; huge ' heaps on heaps.' 

The Sword and Sling, David's whole armament, 

That smote to dust that tow'r of impious pride, 

Fierce toiigu'd Goliah : — and his ponderous Sword ; 

That, by the Victor sway'd, its prostrate owner 

Left headless on the field. — Then, smit with awe, 

They viewed Messiah's fiery weapon, doom'd 

By Heav'ns eternal ordinance, to deal 

Death to the Man of Sin, what time his wrath 

Shall rouse him to the prey. — These, with what else 

Might profit or delight, Christian explor'd, 

Till ev'ning shades the solemn chamber veil'd. 1 



1 The provision made in Christ and his fulness, for maintaining and in- 
creasing, in the hearts of his people, those holy affections, by the vigorous 
exercise of which victory is obtained over all enemies, is here Tepresented 
by the ARMOURY.* This suffices for all who seek to be supplied from it, 

• Eph. vi. 10—18. I Thess. v. 6. 



92 

The Pilgrim now to early rest retir'd; — 
Minded at morn's first summons to pursue 
His further enterprize. — Prepar'd he rose ; 
When the meek Sisters his delay constrained 
For one clear glance of a delightsome land 
Far Zion-ward, his coming toils to cheer. 
He yielded : — and while yet the early sun 
Rang'd the cool heav'n, they led him to the high 
Pavilion'd roof: — Glorious was the wide scene 
That circled him ! but, one bright eastern spot 
Absorbed him rapturously.* — ' See there outspread/ 
ExclaimM a lovely Guide, * Immanuei/s Land: 
1 Those, the Delectable Mountains; whose fair brow 
1 Shall yield thy longing sight the first sweet glimpse 
1 Of the celestial Gate/ — Then, from her vest 
She drew a crystal mirror, gifted at will 
With magic pow'rs ; which, to the Pilgrim's view 
Plied steadily, embodied as at hand, 
The distant landscape. — Here, ever- verdant woods, 
And teeming vineyards slop'd to the sunny south, 
Mantled the hills. — There, the luxuriant vale, 
(A garden of delights,) with nectar'd fruits, 
Andflow'rs ofev'ry blush, glow'd lavishly, 
Drinking pure life from many a brimming stream, 

• Isa. xxxiii. 16, 17. 

how many soever they be. We ought, therefore, to " take to ourselves the 
" whole armour of God," and " putiton," by diligently using all the means 
of grace ; and we may assist others, by our exhortations, counsels, exam- 
pit, and prayers, to do the same. 



m 

Clear spring, and copious fountain : whilst around, 
Bask'd in heav'ns cloudless beam the Blissful Heights ; 
With Shepherd-pastors feeding their peaceful flocks. 1 
—Thus, all unmindful of the passing hour 
The Pilgrim gaz'd ; till the bright vision wan'd, 
And blank the disenchanted mirror gleam'd I 

Descending now, the fair Attendants, busied 
With studious forethought, led their departing guest 
Back to the Armoury ; and, in martial proof 
For combat and defence, steel'd him complete. — 
Forth mov'd the Champion toward the palace-gate, 
Bent on heroic deeds ! — A friendly throng 
On either hand hail'd him with tearful blessings, 
And bade a last farewell ; while, at the porch, 
The Warder greeted him with the welcome news 
Of a true Pilgrim winding down the hill, 
(Faithful his name,) and recently escaped 
From the wrath-destin'd City. 2 — A new joy 
Through Christian's ardent soul thrill'd genially. — 



1 The DELECTABLE MotJNTAlNS,as seen at a distance, represent those 
distinct views of the privileges and consolations, attainable in this life, 
with which believers are sometimes favoured, when attending on divine 
ordinances, or diligently making a subsequent improvement of them. The 
hopes thus inspired prepare them for pressing forward through dangers 
and hardships. This is the pre-eminent advantage of christian commu- 
nion, and can only be enjoyed at some special seasons, when the Sun of 
righteousness shines upon the soul. 

3 Having renewed our strength by waiting on the Lord in the ordinances 
of public or social worship, we must go forward, preparing to resist temp- 
tations, which often assault us after special seasons of divine consolation. 
Ministers therefore, and experienced believers, should warn converts to 
expect trials and conflicts, and recommend them to such companions as 
may be a comfort and help in their pilgrimage. 



M 

— c That name,' said he, ' familiar I have known 

1 From earliest boyhood; and my spirit yearns, 

1 Cordially to embrace the once fond mate 

' Of my vain youth : — a brother now, most dear !' 

— Thus parting, the kind Sentinel's hand he press'd 

Affectionate, with many a thank'd return 

For special aidance at his perilous need. — 

Now through the porch he pass'd, attended still 
By the bright Sisters, whose unwearied zeal 
Watch' d his frail footsteps down the tottering steep.— 
Awhile, a safe declivity they trod, 
Gradual and firm ; and many a recent joy 
Talk'd o'er again ; till, suddenly, the smooth slope 
Broke in rough crags precipitous and abrupt. — 
' Alas V sigh'd Christian, pausing, i this drear Mount !— - 
1 How sharp to climb ! How dang'rous to descend V 
' — 'Tis thus/ said Prudence, each true Pilgrim fares ; 
' And happy he, who, venturing alone to reach 
' Humility's deep vale, wins it unharm'd : 
' Such threat'ning hazard to avert from thee, 
i Thy timid course we steer.' — 

The Pilgrim now 
Took heart ; and down the treach'rous hill pursu'd 
His ready clue, heedful, though safely tended : — 
Yet thrice his frail foot stumbling, menac'd nim 
A shameful fall ! — The Vale now gain'd securely, 
His lovely Guides, a provident supply 



95 

Of bread, and clustering grapes, and generous wine, 
Presented him, a parting smile vouchsafed, 
And the cheer'd Pilgrim plied his lonely way. 1 



1 The Lord commonly dispenses comfort and humiliating dispensations 
alternately, that the believer may neither be elated nor depressed above 
measure.* — In going down into the valley, the believer will greatly need 
the assistance of discretion, piety, charity, and prudence, and the recollec- 
tion of the instructions and counsels of such christians as are eminent for 
these endowments: for humiliating dispensations and experiences excite 
the latent evils of the heart, and often cause men to speak and act unad- 
visedly; so that, notwithstanding every precaution, the review will com- 
monly discover many things which excite the remorse and sorrow of deep 
repentance, 

■ 2 Cor, xii.l— b. 



THE 

PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 

BOOK IV. 



Thus Christian journey'd; hopeful soon to hail 
His new-reported friend : — His anxious eye 
The shadowy vale's dim vista keenly rang'd ; 
When, lo ! like sulph'rous flame from the black south, 
Burst through the gloom a foul-distorted fiend, — 
Apollyox, prince of hell ! — His monster-might 
Came tow'ring on : — Aback the Pilgrim shrunk 
Half resolute for flight : — but. arm'd alone 
To breast and brave the foe— (fenceless behind) — 
To fly were instant fate 1 — That thought new mann'd him.- 
Firm as the rooted flint that chaf 'd his foot, 
Tlr' intrepid Champion stood. — His sword, high pois'd, 
Flashed like an angry meteor : — His broad shield, 
Heav'n-wrought, and emblem'd with a radiant Cross, 
Potent he grasp'd, and the proud demon dar'd 1 . 



1 Evil spirits seem to have peculiar access to the imagioation, and are 
able to paint before that iilusive faculty the most alluring or terrifving 



98 

Now, front to front awhile, in hostile pause, 
Like two mute thunder-clouds they frown'd ! — Aloft, 
Brooding infernal vengeance, the grim fiend 
Rear'd his embattled bulk, with scaly brass 
Fenc'd fearfully. — A dragon's talon'd wings 
Cop'd his huge shoulders like a sable shield : — 
His quiver like a raging furnace blaz'd ; 
Surcharg'd with fiery darts new-forg'd in hell : — 
Each shaggy limb a bear's keen terrors arm'd : — 
While, jagg'd with a gaunt lion's hungry fangs, 
His hideous jaws, wide-yawning, foam'd for prey. — 
So stood the wary combatants ; when thus 
The wily demon with disdainful brow, 
And burst of torrent-rage, fierce parle began. 

1 Whence, and what art thou ? What malignant chance 
* Hath cast thee here, and whither dost thou roam V 

Chr. I come from that detested sink of sin, 



representations, as if they were realities. — APOLLYON signifies the de- 
stroyer .•" and in carrying on the work of destruction, fallen angels 
endeavour, by various devices, to deter men from prayer, and to render 
them afraid of those things without which the life of faith cannot be 
maintained ; in order that, after convictions, they may be led to give up 
religion, as the only meihod of recovering their composure. Many, 
" having no root in themselves," thus gradually fall away ; and others are 
greatly retarded: but the well-instructed believer sees no safety except in 
facing his enemy. If it appear dangerous to persevere, to desist is inevi- 
table ruin, (for CHRISTIAN had no armour tor his back.) So that fear 
itself will in that case induce a man to stand his ground; and the more 
resolutely he resists temptation, the sooner will he regain his tranquillity ; 
for, when the suggestions of Satan excite us to pray more fervently, and 
to be more diligent in every duty, that enemy will soon " flee from us." 
Perhaps some may remember a time when they were harassed to that de- 

f^ree as almost to despair of relief ; who have since been so entirely de- 
ivered.that, were it not for the recollection of their own past experience, 
they would be ready to ascribe these distresses to disease or enthusiasm, 
notwithstanding all that the Scripture contains on the subject. 

• Rev. ix. 11. 



99 

The City of Destruction ; and here pass 
A Pilgrim to Mount Zion. 

Apol. Thine own lips, 

Ev'n to the very proof attest thee mine, 
And brand thee traitor to my cause. — Yea, there, 
In that wide bound Yy thou hast madly broke, 
I reign, sole God and King. — And but I look 
For service to atone thy base revolt, 
Ev'n now this lifted arm with one dread stroke 
Had felFd thee to the ground. 

Chr. True — O most true, 

In thy dominions 'twas my bitter fate 
My natal breath to draw : But soon I shar'd 
Gross bondage, niggard fare, and starveling hire ; 
Forewarned the while that c sin's sure dole is death/* — 
Thus abject, and now grown to manly prime, 
I sought blest riddance from thy galling yoke.— 

Apol. Where'sthe dup'dSov'reignthat would lightly lose 
His lawful vassals ? — No such dupe am /. — 
But since, forsooth, scant wages are thy plaint, 
(The rebel's idle plea,) now, now return 
My duteous charge ; and, trust me, thou shalt share 
In full content, a princely-liberal boon. 

Chr. Return I dare not: — The great King of Kings 
Hath bought me for his own. — 

* Rom. vi. 23. 
e2 



100 

Apol. The proverb's taunt, 

' From bad to worse V such folly well derides. — 
Yet many a slave (best taught by bitter proof,) 
Hath brook'd awhile his service, and, anon, 
Spurn'd his tyranic sway. — Be thou thus wise, 
And all shall yet be well. 

Chr. But I am His, 

By sworn allegiance, and eternal right: 
How then shall I contract such foul default, 
Nor meet the traitor's doom ? 

Apol. Thy faith to me 

First sworn, first due, perfidious thou hast broke : 
Yet of my princely clemency / spare 
Thy forfeit life, so thou return to me. — 

Chr. What then I pledg'd, my nonage may excuse : 
Yea, the great King beneath whose banner here 
I stand enrolled, will pardon and absolve 
My traitor-league to thee : — But, more than all, 
Remorseless Ravager ! tho' Hell withstand. 
His service, wages, subjects, I prefer — 
His governance, society, domain, 
Beyond compare, to thine ; — Know then, thy lures 
Thou spread'st in vain : — His loyal Bond am I, 
Him, Him alone to serve. 

Apol. Nay, ponder well 

In cool-collected thought thy rash resolve, 



101 

Or e'er this headlong torrent of mad zeal 

Dash thee to ruin ! — What ! need'st thou yet be taught 

How this lov'd Prince to bonds and death consigns 

His slaves usurp'd from me ? Whence then this fond 

This scornful preference of his yoke to mine ? 

— Think yet again — When stoop'd he from his throne 

To save one friend from my contested pow'r 

Still held in poise with his ? — Not thus I leave 

My faithful subjects when enslav'd by him: 

Yea, many a time, by sratagem or force 

Fve won them back ; and fain would rescue thee. 

Chr, Thy sland'rous spleen my gracious Lord belies : — 
If yet complete dehVrance he forbear, 
'Tis wise delay — his servants' love to prove, 
And fealty, to the end. — And, for the close, 
The fatal close of this their firm career, 
Death in His cause is triumph ; and, ere long, 
When comes their Prince with his angelic host 
To gather his elect, the Martyr's Cross 
Shall then exalt them to the fadeless Crown 
Of everlasting Glory! 1 



1 As all have been overcome by the temptations of the devil ; and " of 
" whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage :" so, 
by usurpation, he is become the god and piince of this world, and we have 
all been his slaves, But believers, having been redeemed by the blood of 
Christ, are " made free from sin and become the servants of God:" and 
the abiding conviction, that all the subjects of sin and Satan must perish, 
concurs with their experience that it is a hard bondage, in fortifying them 
against every temptation to return. Sensible of their obligations to God 
as their Creator and Governor, they have deeply repented of past rebel- 
lions ; and, having obtained mercy, feel themselves bound by gratitude 
and the most solemn engagements to cleave to him and his service. Their 
difficulties and discouragements cannot induce them to believe that they 
have changed ' a bad tor a worse;' nor will they be influenced by the 



102 

Apol. Look'st thou, indeed, 

For such reward? Thou! who so oft hast swerv'd 
Apostate ev'n from Him? 

Chr. Say — when — wherein, 

O base Apollyon? 

Apol. Hast thou then forgot? — 

Didst thou not faint and murmur 'mid the gulph 
Of black Despond? Didst thou not groan, and chafe, 
And pine, rebellious, 'neath thy penal load ; 
Then, lawless seek release, though charged to wait 
Deliverance from thy Lord? Didst thou not lose, 
Deep-slumb'ring on the watch, thy sacred Roll? — 
— Yea, the grim lions, though controul'd and chained, 
Palsied each nerve, and well nigh scar'd thee back 
To coward flight! Yet, when thy tongue sounds forth 
Each wild adventure, (thy perpetual theme;) 
Thy heart, vain-glorious, bloats with high conceit, 
And secret self-applause ! 

Chr. Alas! thy taunt 

Spares half my guilt : yet my forgiving Lord 
Forbears me still: — But mark! — these ills I trace 
To thee — all, all to thee, — With my first breath 



numbers who apostatize, from love to the world and dread of the cross: 
for they are "rooted and grounded in love," and not merely moved by 
fears and hopes. They are sure that the Lord is able to deliver them from 
their enemies: and, should the wicked be permitted to prosper in their 
malicious devices against them, they know enough of his plan, to rely on 
his wisdom, truth, and love, in the midst of sufferings. Thus they have 
answers ready for every suggestion. 



103 

Of thy polluted clime, I suck'd them in:— 
My torment now, and by my Prince forgiv'n. 1 

Apol. Thy Prince I hate:— -his subjects, mandates, 
laws: — 
Therefore I here withstand thee. 

Chr. Dars't thou, proud Fiend! 

Such desp'rate outrage on the King's highway, — 
The way of holiness? — A vaunt ! or learn 
His wrath, too late, to dread. — 

As when, abrupt, 
Some fiery-cavern'd mountain's wrath, long pent, 
Breaks into tenfold rage, with clamouring shock 
Convulsing heav'n and earth; so rag'd the Boaster. — 
At one gigantic stride, his brazen bulk, 
Reared like a huge volcano, barr'd the pass. — 
His foamy jaws, with many a thund'ring curse 
Bolted fierce flame: — With deadlier fury glar'd 
His baleful eye : Whilst all around him, glow'd 



1 If the suggestions before described be rejected, Satan will perhaps 
assault the believer, by representing to his mind, with every possible ag- 
gravation, the several instances of his misconduct since he professed the 
gospel; in order to heighten his apprehensions of being found at last a 
hypocrite : for when the soul is discouraged and gloomy, he will be as 
assiduous in representing every false step to he a horrid crime, inconsistent 
with the hope of salvation ; as he is at other times in persuading men, 
that the most flagrant violations of the divine law are mere trifles. — In 
repelling such suggestions, the well-instructed believer will neither deny 
the charge, nor extenuate his guilt ; but he will flee for refuge to the 
free grace of the gospel, and take comfort from the consciousness that he 
now hates and groans under the remains of those evils, which once he 
wholly lived in without remorse; thence inferring, that " his sins, though 
M many, are forgiven." 



104 

A torrid atmosphere, of potent bane 
To wither up the spirit. 

' Prat' st thou to me/ 
Rav'd then the monster-fiend, * of dastard fear? — 
1 Thine rather, traitor ! be the dread : — This hour 
4 Thou diest; — for, by th' infernal den I swear, 
4 Here will I spill thy soul. 

Prompt at the word, 
A flaming shaft full at the Pilgrim's front 
He launched. — Harmless against th' effulgent shield 
It flashed — it fell. — Alert, his ready sword 
That thirsted vengeful for the coming foe, 
Christian with iron grasp brandish'd aloft, 
Defiant. — With dire yell the demon clos'd 
Firm foot to foot; and one tremendous storm 
Of fiery -fated darts, like vollied hail, 
Drove deadly down! — Then, first, the Pilgrim reeled: — 
His head, hand, foot, full many a barb had stung 
To raging agony ! — The wary foe 
Following amain the doubtful strife, rush'd on: 
While Christian, valourous, many a long long hour 
Warded each furious charge: till, faint — half spent — 
Deep sighs and groans gave sign of drear dismay, 
And pale-departing courage blanch'd his brow. 1 



1 The preceding part of CHRISTIAN'S contest with APOLLYON is in- 
structive to every experienced believer; but this is far more difficult 
yet if we duly reflect upon the Lord's permission to Satan, in respect of 
Job, with the efforts and effects that followed, and compare it with the 
tempter's desire of sifting Peter and the apostles as wheat; we shall not 



105 

The wily fiend seizing the welcome chance, 
(Void his red quiver, and his shafts all .quench'd,). 
Bore down precipitous, like a falling mount, 
Full on his well-tried foe. The horrid shock 
Crush'd him to earth : and, from his faithless grasp 
Dash'd his life's guardian — his dishonour' d sword. — 
Grappling he fell. With savage joy the Pest 
(As the pounc'd vulture fangs the wounded fawn,) 
Clutch'd his prone victim, and his arm high pois'd 
For one last deadly blow ! That moment flashed 
Keen o'er the Pilgrim's thought his sacred Cause ! — 
New life, new vigour, nervM him ! Swift he caught 
The' all-conq'ring sword, and, firm, thus charg'dit home. 
' — Vaunt not against me, O mine enemy; 



be greatly at a loss about the author's meaning. This enemy is 
sometimes gratified by an arrangement of outward dispensations 
exactly suited to favour his assaults ■ so that the believer's path seems 
wholly obstructed. The Lord himself appears to have forsaken him, or 
even to fight against him ; and his appointments are thought contrary to 
his promises ! This gives Satan an opportunity of suggesting hard 
thoughts of God and his ways, doubts about the truth of the Scriptures, 
and desponding feais of a fatal event,.. Many such " fiery darts" may be 
repelled and quenched by the shield of faith : but there are seasons (as 
some of us well know,) when they are poured in so incessantly, and receive 
such plausibility from facts; and when they so interrupt a man while 
praying, reading, or meditating, that he is tempted to intermit religious 
duties, that he may avoid these most distressing attendants on them. — 
The evils of the heart, which seemed before subdued, are so excited by 
means of the imagination, that they apparently prevail more than ever ; 
rendering every service an abomination, as well as a burden , so that the 
harassed soul, alarmed, baffled, defiled, self-detested, and thinking that 
God and his servants unite in abhorring him, is ready to give up all hope, 
to doubt all his former principles, to seek refuge in some heretical or 
antinomian system, or to attempt the dissipating of his melancholy gloom, 
by joining again in the vanities of the world. Thus the enemy * wounds 
* nim in his understanding, faith, and conversation,' (according to the 
author's marginal interpretation of his meaning:) yet he cannot in this 
way find relief; but is inwardly constrained, with renewed efforts, to 
return to the conflict. When such temptations however are long con- 
tinued, resistance will gradually become more feeble, and the distressed 
believer will be ready to give up every thing. 

e3 



106 

' I fall to rise again l*% — Beep at the word 
He dealt a ghastly wound. — Then, first, a smile 
Grac'd his wan cheek: — The felon-fiend gave back : — 
Up sprang the Pilgrim, and, with a sudden glance 
To heav'n, at this prompt Word the charge renewed. — 
1 In all these straits we more than conq'rors prove 
' Through Him who lov'd us/f — Fierce the flaming steel 
Drove on the foe, and drank his heart's black gore. 
He gnash'd, he foam'd : — In mad contortions writh'd 
His scaly bulk: — Pale glared his haggard eye: 
While pride, rage, pain, wrung forth one bitter groan, 
Rebellowing through the Vale. — Then, all astounded 
With foul defeat, his dragon wings he spread, 
And hied him back to hell. 1 

* Mic. viii. 8. + Rom. viii. 37 — 39. James iv. 7. 

1 If the believer in his further conflict with Satan, should be plied 
closely with infidel suggestions, he may be thrown down, and " his sword 
" fly out of his hand:" so that for a time he may be unable to give 
any credit to the truth of Scripture, (which is called lt the sword of the 
" Spirit,") by which alone he was before enabled to repel the tempter. — 
This is a dreadful case: but the Advocate above "prays" for his disciples 
" That their faith should not fail :" • so that, though Peter fell with Judas, 
he was not left to perish with hrm. The christian, therefore, though 
* almost pressed to death,' and ready ' to despair of life, 1 will, by the special 
grace of God, he helped again to seize his sword, and to use it with more 
effect than ever. The Holy Spirit will bring to his mind, with the most 
convincing energy, the evidences of thedivine inspiration of the Scriptures, 
and enable him to rely on the promises: and thus at length the enemy 
will be put to flight, by testimonies of holy writ pertinently adduced, and 
more clearly understood than before. — Experience will teach some readers 
to understand these things, and they will know how to compassionate and 
make allowances for the mistakes of the tempted •. and others, who have 
been graciously exempted from perhaps the deepest anguish kuown on 
earth, (though, commonly not ot long duration,) should learn from the 
testimony of their brethren, to. allow the reUity of these distresses, and 
sympathize with the sufferers; and not (like Job's friends) to join with 
Satan in aggravating their sorrows. — They who in ordinary cases are sa- 
tisfied with general convictions and comfortable feelings, without being 
able to give a reason for their hope, may be driven to the most tremendous 
extremities, should God permit them to be thus assaulted : for they have 

• Luke xxii. 31,32. 



107 

The Champion glow'd 
All joy, all wonder; and, in a grateful song 
Hymn'd His high praise, who crown'd the fearful strife 
With glorious victory. 

As thus he stood, 
Forth from a radiant cloud, a healing hand 
Stoop'd, with pure balm fresh from the Tree of Life. 
That sovereign unction to each rankling wound 
The Pilgrim pressed, and, at the vital touch 
Grew whole; then, calmly reposing where so late 
The battle rag'd: with sacred wine and bread 
Cherished exhausted nature. — HeaFd and refreshed, 
He rose, with martial triumph in his eye, 
And in his grasp the' all-potent sword still drawn, 
Questing a second foe. 1 



no fixed principles to which they may resort in such an emergency ; and 
perhaps some degree of mistake always gives Satan his principal advantage 
on these occasions. Yet men of the most sober mind and sound judgment, 
when in a better state of bodily health than usual, and in all other re- 
spects most rational, have experienced such distressing temptations of this 
kind, as they could scarcely have believed on the report of others ; and, 
when delivered, they cannot look back on the past without the greatest 
consternation. 

1 When the believer has obtained the victory over temptations, the 
Lord will graciously heal all his wounds; pardoning his sins, and renew- 
ing his strength and comfort: so that the most distressing experiences 
are often succeeded by the sweetest confidence and serenity of mind, and 
the greatest alacrity in the ways of God. — * The leaves of the tree of life,'* 
represent the present benefits of the redemption of Christ. — The believer 
thus healed, and refreshed by meditation on the death of Christ, and other 
religious exercises, rests not in one victory, but prepares for new conflicts : 
yet the enemy, once decidedly put to flight, seldom repeats the same 
assaults, at least for some time ; because he will generally find the victor 
upon his guard on that side, though liable to be surprised in some other 
way. 

• Rev. xxii. 2. 



108 

Thus through the dell 
TV intrepid Champion ranging, he approach'd 
The bleak bare confines of the Shadow of Death : — 
A cavern'd Vale, i wild, desert, desolate, 
c A land of pits, and drought, and lifeless gloom, 
* Unclaim'd, unpeopled : yea, (save by Pilgrim feet) 
< Untravell'd, unexplored I'* 1 

• Jer. ii. 6. 

1 The Valley of the Shadow OF Death seems intended to represent a 
variation of inward discouragement, distress, conflict, and alarm, which 
arises from prevailing darkness of mind and want of lively spiritual affec 
tions ; by which a man is rendered reluctant to religious duties, and heart- 
less in performing them ; and this makes way for manifold feais, dangers, 
and temptations. While men rest in forms and notions, they think of 
little in religious ordinances hut performing a task, and the satisfaction of 
having done their supposed duty, but the spiritual worshipper, while at 
some seasons he finds his soul filled with clear light and holy affections, 
at other times is oppressed with dulness and heaviness: faith, hope, re- 
verence and love, are at a low ebb : he seems to address an unknown or 
absent God, and rather to mock than to worship him ; divine things 
appear obscure and unreal ; and each returning season of devotion, or 
reiterated effort to lift up his heart to God, ends in disappointment, so that 
religion becomes his burden instead of his delight. Self-knowledge is 
increased, and he now perceives evils before unnoticed corrupting his 
services: he suspects that his former joy was a delusion, and is ready to 
conclude, that "God hath forgotten to be gracious, and hath shut up his 
44 loving-kindness in displeasure." These experiences are often rendered 
more distressing by mistaken expectations of uninterrupted comfort; or 
by unscriptural instructions, which represent comfort as the evidence of 
acceptance with God, assurance as the essence of faith, impressions or 
visions as the witness of the Spirit, or perfection as attainable in this life, 
nay actually attained by all the regenerate; — as if this were the church 
triumphant, and not the church militant. — The state of the body also, as 
disordered by nervous or hypochondriacal affections, gives eneigy to the 
distressing conclusions which men often draw from this dark state of mind : 
and indeed disease may operate as a direct cause of it; though the Holy 
Spirit will overcome this, and all other impediments to comfort, when " he 
44 sheds abroad the love of God in the heart." — The Scriptures also evi- 
dently teach us that fallen spirits never fail, when permitted, to take 
advantage of a disordered state, whether of body or mind, to mislead, 
perplex, or defile the soul. Persons of a melancholic temperament, not 
aware of the particular causes whence their gloom originates, are apt to 
ascribe it wholly to the Lord's displeasure, on account of some peculiar 
sins they have committed ; and to look upon it as a direct proof that they 
have been self-deluded hypocrites; which exceedingly enhances their 
distress. 



109 

With patient zeal 
Christian his course maintained; when, suddenly, 
Forth from the dense shade rush'd, in wild affright, 
Two pale adventurers ; sons of that dastard brood 
Who brought base tidings of the Promis'd Land.* 
— Breathless they rush'd, and this delirious shout 
Peal'd in the Pilgrim's ear. — ' Back ! back for thy life ! — 
1 If death and hell can scare thee: — Back! — for thy life! — - 
' Or, woe to thy daring/ 

Chr. Hold ! — What's the damage ? 

' Damage !' (exclaim'd the foremost,) ■ why, mad as 
1 thyself, 
( At neck or nought our pilgrimage we pursued 
' To rash extremity : — yea, but one step more, 
' And thou hadst ne'er been better'd at our warning.' 

Chr. But what mischance befel ye? 

* O — too dreadful'— 
(Stammer'd the fear-struck man) ' for tongue to tell! — 
1 In the deep Valley of the Shadow of DEATHf 
i We had well nigh perish'd ;--for, ev'n our keenest foresight 
' Spied not the horrid gulph on either side, 
< Till the blind brink we trod V 

Chr, But fac'd ye nothing 

• Numb. xiii. + Psa. xlir. 1°. 



110 

Worse than mute shadows, and blind gulphs unventur'd? 

1 Yea — sights and sounds that hell alone could conjure, 

* There haunted us. Huge goblins, grinning satyrs, 

1 Fierce dragons of the pit ; shrieks, howlings, yells, 

4 Incessant, as from souls that deeply drank 

' Mis'ry unutterable; — without end; — 

' Fast bound in tort'ring iron ! — There, hang black clouds 

* Of terror and confusion ; whilst, over all, 

' Grim-shrouding Death for ever spreads his wing/* 

Chr. And think ye these can daunt my cherishM hope? — 
Rather ye prove, through this drear land of death 
Lies the blest path of life. 

c Then take thy way ;' 
(They both exclaimed) ' take thy fool-hardy way, 
1 Ev'n as thou list: — A safer heav'n for us! n 

* Job iii. 5. x. 22. 

1 These men were spies, not Pilgrims : and they related what they 
had observed at a distance, but had never experienced. — They represent 
those who have been conversant with godly people: and ' bring an evil 
4 report on the good land,' to prejudice the minds of numbers against the 
right ways of the Lord. Such men pretend they have made trial of re- 
ligion, and found it to be comfortless and dreary: they give a caricatured 
description of the sighs, groans, terrors, and distresses of pious persons, and 
of all the dreadful things to be seen and heard among them-, and they 
avail themselves of every unguarded or hyperbolical expression which 
escapes a tempted believer ; of theenthusiastic accounts which some people 
give of their experience; and even of the figurative language, which is 
often employed in speaking of inward conflicts under images taken from 
external tilings. Thus they endeavour to excuse their own apostacy, and 
to expose to contempt the cause which they have deserted. Nothing they 
eta say, however, concerning the disorder or confusion to which religion 
in iv tometimes give occasion, can induce the Christian to conclude that he 
has mistaken his way, or that it would he advisable for him to turn back, 
or deviate into my by-path: on the contrary, their representations are 
-anted to excite hi* vigilance and circumspection. 



Ill 

Thus bent, they hurried back: while Christian manfully 
Wielding his faithful sword,* brav'd the dark Vale. 

— A hideous chasm it seem'd, 
By the strain 'd eye untraceable ; 

And, save on a narrow mole 
Trail'd midway through its dreary length, 

Impassable to the foot ! — 

Here Christian enter'd, faltering: 
And, as he grop'd his perilous way, his now 
Dilated vision on the right descried 
A deep-drawn ditch ; choak'd in whose putrid drench 
Blind leaders of the blind, from age to age 

Have miserably perish'd : On the left, 

A fathomless morass, whose dizzy fume 
Staggers the brain: — There princely David fell ; 
There wallow'd long ; and there remediless 
Kad sunk, but for His aid, whose hour of help 
Is man's extremity. 

Xow, the scant ridge 
Scarce propp'dthe Pilgrim's foot. — Tottering he sway'd 
From verge to verge, in fearful jeopardy. 
As either sink he shunn'd. — Now, his blind track, 
Unwitting where the next dark step might fall, 
Shuddering he trac'd, with many a deep-drawn sigh: — 
When, suddenly from beneath, a lurid gleam 
Pierc'd the dense death-shade. — By that gleam he scann'd 
His onward perils, till, with tremendous roar 

• Psa. lxix. 14 



112 

All Hell brake forth, and a fierce fire-flood roll'd 
Down the Vale's long long delve ;— — — 
While gusts of demon wrath, with frantic moans, 
Deep, doleful wailings, agonizing shrieks, 
Of torment and despair, yell'd all around ! 

Here Christian's sword, (Apollyon's sorest dread,) 
Useless 'midst banded fiends, and fires, that mock'd 
Its mortal dint, he to the sheath restor'd ; 
And that celestial talisman, All-prayer 
Wielded thus fervently : — ' Save, Lord ! O save ! 
' O send deli v 'ranee to my fainting soul !'* 

New strength of heart upstaid, and bore him on : 

Yet oft, broad fire-flakes vaulting o'er his path, 
Sear'd him ; — while ghostly rushings to and fro, 
Cross'd his frail track, and harrow'd him with dread 
Soon to be torn asunder, or crush'd down 
By demon feet! — Just then, his tortur'd ear 
'Mid the wild din caught the articulate clang 
Of Hell's invisible crew gath'ring around ! — 

— Here first the Champion paus'd. ■ 

One foot advane'd, one, laps'd for rash retreat, 
Trembling he paus'd : — But Hope still whisper'd him, 
Perchance his dreariest toil was o'er; and cheer'd him 

with 
Past dangers nobly vanquish* d. — Sternly resolv'd, 
Onward again he press'd : — Th' indignant fiends 
Mad for their prey, now near'd him : on his pale cheek 

• Psa. cxvi. 4. Ephes. vi. 18. 



113 

With panting rage hot-breathing many a blast ! — 
— To desperate courage rous'd, he strode right on, 
And with a vehement shout boldly exclaimed, 
* Strong in Jehovah's might, I walk secure.' 1 
Instant the curs'd crew sullenly retreated, 
Muttering their sore defeat: While Christian plied 
His dreary march secure : nor, save those flames 
Whose fiercly-forked flakes still menac'd him, 
One lingering terror pested his career \ 

1 The fatal presumption into which men are soothed, through igno- 
rance and false doctrine of various kinds, is intended by the " deep Ditch," 
into which "the blind lead the blind" and perish with them — 'The 
'dangerous Q-uag,' on the other side of the narrow way, represents the 
opposite extreme, despair of God's mercy : and the mire of it agrees with 
tnat of the Slough of DESPOND. — In these opposite ways multitudes con- 
tinually perish ; some concluding that there is no fear, others that there is 
no iwpe* But the danger to which a real believer is exposed, of verging 
towards one of these extremes in times of inward darkness aud disconso- 
lation, is especially implied. Many who once were zealous and joyful, 
decline in their religious affections ; their duties are comparatively scanty 
and formal ; their walk unsteady, and their hearts cold and uncomfortable. 
They call themselves backsliders, and complain of desertion : yet they 
have no heart to use proper means of recovering their vigour and cheer- 
fulness; but love to be soothed in their present condition; and quiet 
themselves by presumiug they are true believers, aud abusing the doctrine 
of final perseverance. — Many of this cast are doubtless wholly deceived. — 
But even the true christian, when greatly discouraged, may be powerfully 
tempted to seek peace of mind, by arguing with himself on the safety of 
his state, or trying to be satisfied without his former zeal, activity, and 
consolation: and Satan will find prompters to suggest to him, that this 
is the case of all established believers, and that fervent love belongs only 
to young converts, who are strangers to their own hearts. This is the 
more plausible, because the inciease of sound judgment and abiding spi- 
ritual affections abates that earnestness, (often indiscreet and dispropor- 
tioned,) which sprang from mere selfish principles: and, when religious 
profession is so common as not to expose a man to reproach or persecution, 
many retain it, who have scarcely any appearance of spirituality, and who 
infect others with their contagious "converse and example. But, while 
the well-instructed consistent believer, under the deepest discouragement, 
dreads and shuns this presumption, he is liable to sink into despondency; 
and may be led to condemn all his past experience as delusion, to rank 
himself among the stony-ground hearers, to conclude that it is useless for 
him to pray or seek any more, and to lie down in enfeebling dejection. — 
And again, peiceiving this danger, he finds it very difficult, intne present 
dark state of his soul, to avoid it, without seeming to abuse the free grace 
of the gospel. But the true christian is, as it were, constrained to press 
forward, and by faith he will at length put his enemies to flight, 



114 

— So far'd he, till, all-vigilant as he pass'd 
Hell's central hold, a stealthy demon couch'd 
Eager behind him, and, in his ear low breath'd 
(With subtle semblance of the Pilgrim's voice) 
Soul-damning blasphemies! — From his own heart 
Each foul-suggested forg'ry seem'd to rise, 
Hurling black treason 'gainst the King of Heaven; — 
Blasphem'd, yet iov'd ! — A raging hell within 
Seiz'd him ; and, to his deep-loath'd self, he shew'd 

Satanic- vile ! To the dark, desperate verge 

Of frenzied agony, his felon foe 
Thus goaded him : But that all -potent Arm 
More glorious prov'd by opportune delay, 
Wrought rescue, — rescue of mysterious grace, 
And drove the curst tormentor to his den. 1 

Thus from the fiend escaped, Christian approached 
The cavern's twilight verge ; when lo ! a voice 

1 The case here intended, is not uncommon among conscientious per- 
sons of strong imaginations, in circumstances of distressing temptation. 
Thoughts are suddenly excited in their minds, with which their previous 
reflection* had no connexion, even as if words were spoken to them. — 
These suggestions are suited to induce them to think hardly of God, or 
his strvite, or his decrees; and this they abhor as direct blasphemy: or 
to harass them with other hateful ideas; which they consider as unpar- 
donably criminal, inconsistent with a state of grace, and a mark of final 
reprobation. Yet did these suggestions accord with the state of their 
hearts, they would be defiling but not distressing ; and instead of rejecting 
them at once with decided abhorrence, they would give them entertain- 
ment, and willingly employ their thoughts about them, as far as they 
dared; " for the carnal mind is enmity against God," and can only be 
deterred from blasphemy, on many occasions, by the dread of his ven- 
geance : so that the distress they experience is exactly proportioned to 
the degree in which they have learned to love God, and hate every thing 
displeasing and dishonourable to him ; and is itself an evidence of their 
< diversion. — The intrusion of evil thoughts should excite us to greater 
earnest ntss in prayer, pious meditations, or adoring praises; for this, 
:»h<>\. all tilings, will be found to close the mind most effectually against 
them. 



115 

Of angel sweetness, broke in these charm'd tones 

Upon his raptured ear. 

' Though through the Valley of the Shadow of Death 

4 I walk, with foes beset, I'll fear no evil, 

' For Thou, my Guardian-Shepherd, Thou art with me.'* 

— A little onward seem'd that social voice, 

As from some tempted soul, all triumph now, 

And soon, perchance, in holy fellowship 

His future toils to share ! That blissful thought 

Half paradis'd the hell that gulph'd him round! — 

Aloud he call'd : — but, save his own mock'd shout 

Beat back by hideous echoes, nought replied! — 

Yet still the sweet triumphant melody 

Soft gliding through the cavern, cheer'd him on. 

— And now, from the cleft roof, a struggling glint 

Of day-spring, 'thwart the murky haze gleam'd pale: — 

A cool breeze visited his fever'd brow. — 

Eager the Pilgrim's eye drank the pure ray, 

Till a bright day-flood pierc'd the hideous Vale, 

And lighted him to joyous liberty! 

While his loos'd tongue, late horror-froz'n, and mute 

So long, to the lov'd notes of sacred praise, 

Thus triumphed: — — ' Thou, thou, my Guard, my Guide, 

* From fiery perils hast redeem'd my soul, 

' And turn'd the Shadow of Death to glorious morning.'f 1 

* Vsa. xxiii. 4 t Psa. lxxxvi. 13. Amos v. 8. Job xii. 2*2. 

1 Few things more effectually support the tempted, than to learn that 
others, whom they consider as believers, have been or aie in similar cir- 
cumstances : for the idea, that such a state of mind is inconsistent with 
true faith, gives the enemy his principal advantage. Indeed, this often 
proves the means of their deliverance: for in due season that light, aifec- 



116 

Now the death-vale's past horrors he surveyed 
With shuddering joy : Yet, on his forward path 

Worse dangers menac'd him. Halting at each 

Well ponder'd step, some hellish bait he spied 

Close lurking all around ! — Here, crafty snares 

Of firm-link' d adamant, woven insidiously 

Like filmy gossamer, the dim glades beset; 

Whilst many a dark deceit, artfully coil'd, 

Each flow'ry plot o'erspread. There, gulphy delves 

And wily pitfalls throng'd each savage brake, 

Nor clue, nor track, through all the unhallow'd ground, 

(Save near the perilous and shelvy brink 

Of some precipitous steep,) his eye could trace! 

— So sure each deep-laid stratagem was fram'd, 

So thick bestrow'd; had Christian's ev'ry hair 

A soul contain'd, and zeal, and fortitude, 

Tried skill, and patient vigilance, had ventured 

A nightly journey there, all had been vain ; 

And he, perchance, had been a castaway ! 

But the glad sun's all-penetrating beam 

Pointed each crafty wile ; till, through that land 

Of pits and hellish toils, divinely brought, 

He sang exultingly, 

' His candle cheers my head, and by his light 
' Midst dark-besetting snares I walk secure/* 1 

* Job xxix. 3. 

lion, and consolation, for which they have long mourned, thirsted, prayed, 
and waited, will be vouchsafed them; and the review of the dangers they 
have escaped, now more clearly discerned than before, will enlarge their 
beard with admiring gratitude to their great and gracious Deliverer. 

1 Wt are taught by this description of the second part of the Valley, 



117 

These perils clear'd, a lifeless waste be trod, 
With unblest bones and mingling ashes spread! — - 
Each step teem'd with new horrors ; till he rang'd 
A savage lair where mangled victims, once 
Flush'd with warm life, and pilgrim energy, 
In fest'ring fragments moulder'd! — There a grim cave 
Yawn'd like a charnel-house ; where two giant Pests, 
Pagan and Pope, long held their tyranny, 
And thence their worried captives daily drove 
To a bloody doom. — But Death, long since hath slain 
The heathen plague : Whilst crippled, palsied, craz'd, 
With many a shrewd rebuff, in his dark hold 
The curst survivor lingers, (threat'ning still, 
Though impotently foil'd;) and, with swoln pride 
Gloats on the welt'ring havoc that surrounds him ! — 
Gnashing he spied the passing Pilgrim ; — for, 
Though sunk to helpless dotage, yet, unquell'd 

Rag'd his keen gust of blood! 

Red rolTd his half-quench'd eyes: 

A spasm of baffled fury rack'd his limbs : 

Then, muttering, he denounced the BAN that once 
Had hurl'd his victims to a fiery death — 

Now, idly launch'd ! Thus safe, the Pilgrim braved 

The furious Anarch; but, as he hurried past, 
Full many a backward glance betray'd his fear ; 

that believers are not most in danger when under the deepest distress ; 
that the snares and devices of the enemy are so many and various, through 
the several stages of our pilgrimage, as to baffle all description or enume- 
ration : and that all the emblems of the Valley of HUMILIATION and of 
the SHADOW OF Death, could not fully represent the thousandth part 
of them. Were it not, therefore, that the Lord undertakes to guide his 
people, by the light of his word and Spirit, they never could possibly 
escape them all. 



118 

Till, to a verdant plain his dreary track 
Wide op'ning, he press'd on with tranquil joy. 

Thus, through a ling'ring night some gallant bark 
Pent in a narrow strait 'mid shelvy rocks, 
Now, keel-struck, reels, half- wrecked ; now, plunges deep 

A dizzy-whirling gulph: with shatter'd helm, 

And blind prow, laboring on, till morn's blithe star 
Pilots her perilous wake to some smooth bay; 
There, briefly moor'd, she trims her drooping pride, 
Wings the wide main, and plies her distant port. 1 



1 The inhabitants of Britain are not thought to be in any immediate 
danger either from POPE or PAGAN: yet something very like the philoso- 
phical part of paganism seems to be rising from the dead; and as, even 
by the confession of the late king of Prussia, who was a steady friend to 
the philosophical infidels, they 'are by no means favourable to general 
' toleration,' it is not improbable but pagan persecution may also in due 
time revive. Nay it may be questioned, whether popery may not so fat- 
recover its vigour, as to make one more alarming struggle against vital 
Christianity, before that Man of Sin be finally destroyed. 



THE 



PILGRIMS PROGRESS. 



BOOK V. 



The Pilgrim now,-(each terror lull'd to rest,) 
Climb'd a soft hillock's undulating- crest, 
Whence with ineffable transport he descried 
His long-sought friend, winning with hasty stride 
A smoothly-beaten way. With hand high wav'd, 
And urgent shout, importunate he crav'd 
(Strong was the plea) his brother's brief delay : — 
But Faithful, jealous of a moment's stay, 
Turn'd, and exclaim'd with palpitating breath, 
' Fm on my life! — The minister of death, 
4 The blood-avenger, follows on my track ! — 

' Hinder me not!' Refusing thus to slack, 

Christian (whom oft o'er-ardent zeal inspir'd,) 
An emulative impulse rashly fir'd: — 
Down the hill-slope he plied a headlong race, 
And, swift outran his brother's steadier pace 



120 

With a vain-glorious smile. He simTd — he fell! — 

That fall his armour aided to impel!, 

And baffled ev'ry struggling act to rise ; 

Till, with prompt kindness sparkling in his eyes, 

Faithful a gen'rous hand benignly lent : — 

Then, first, through many a care-worn lineament 

His early friend exultingly he trac'd, 

And with a soothing sympathy embrac'd. 

But whilst, by answering tokens, Christian strove 

To speak his own firm constancy and love, 

A crimson blush, betok'ning humbled pride, 

And self-reproof, his cheek ingenuous dyed. 1 

Now, hand in hand their easy way they wind ; 
When Christian thus spontaneously inchVd 
Their mutual parlance. 

Chr. Welcome to my heart, 

My friend, my honour'd brother! now, most dear: — 
Full cheerly I rejoice that grace divine 
Hath so tempered our spirits, that on this 



1 The Utile hill may denote those moments of encouiagenrent, in which 
tempted believers rise superior to their difficulties; and are animated to 
desire the company of their brethren, whom dejection under humiliating 
experiences disposes them to shun. — The conduct of CHRISTIAN inti- 
mates, that believers are sometiniesready to hinder one another, by making 
their own attainments and progress a standard for their brethrtn : but the 
lively exercise of faith renders men intent on pressing forward, and more 
apt to fear the society of such as would influence them to loiter, than to 
stop for them. This tends to excite an useful emulation: but, while it 
prompts to diligence, it often gives occasion to those risings of vain-glory 
and self- preference, which are the fore-runners of some humiliating 
fall: and thus believers often feel their need of he!]) from the very poi- 
sons whom they have foolishly undervalued. Vet this gives occasion to 
those mutual good offices, which unite them more closely in the nearest 
ties of teuder affection. 



121 

Our pleasant path we can exchange the sweets 
Of Zion-ward communion, 






Faith. O, my brother, 

Earnest I sought to have cast my lot with thine, 
Ev'n from thy earliest outset; but gross cares 

Shackled my zeal, 

■ 



Chr. How long was this thy pilgrimage 

Delay'd? 



t 



Faith. To the last rash extremity : — 
Yea, till all tongues rumour'd that wrath was coming 
On our devoted city. 






Chr. And did none share 

Thy timely flight? 

Faith. None :— The tremendous doom 

Thus threatened, was, to them, an idle tale, 
And idly sported! — Yea, oft as they nam'd 
Thy wise departure, they would hoot on it 
For ' rash and desp'rate foolery J — But / 
The dread prophetic warning, then, as now, 
Firmly belie v'd, and fled. 1 



1 This episode, and others of the same kind, afford a happy occasion to 
vary the characters and experiences of christians, as found in real life ; 
and of thus avoiding: the common fault of making one man a standard for 
others, in the circumstances of his religious progress.— It often happens, 
that they who hare been acquainted before their conversion, and hear 
little of each other for some time after, find at length that they were led 
to attend to religion about the same period, without having opportunity 



122 

C h r . Heard you no talk 

Of P li ant's cowardly and silly freak? 

Faith. Pliant!— -JIhe very name provokes ev'n now 
A universal sneer! — Fain had he waiv'd 
A frank confession; but the Slough's vile stain, 
(Badge of his boasted hardihood,) told all : 
And mockery, derision, and contempt, 
Yea, vagabond and stark distress, bespeak him, 
Since that wild prank, worse, sevenfold, than before. 

Chr. Yet why should such contempt be wreak'd on him, 
Who only forsook the way bis foes despise? 

Faith. All twit him for a ' turncoat; 9 stinging him sore 
With that shrewd scandal: Yea, methinks just heav'n 
Moves ev'ry bitter tongue to hiss and banter 
His base declension, and his name casts out 
For a vile proverb.* 

Chr. But mix'd you no kind word 

Of counsel or alarm? 

Faith. Oft, oft I sought 

• Jer. xxix. 18, 19. 

or courage to confer together respecting it. The decided separation of a 
sinner from his old companions and pursuits, to walk with God in all his 
ordinances and commandments, from avowed dread of " the wrath to 
" come," as well as the hope of eternal life, frequently excites serious 
thoughts in the minds of others, which they are not able wholly to shake 
off. In many indeed this is a mere transient alarm, insufficient to over- 
come the propensities of the carnal mind : but when it arises from a real 
beliefof God's testimony, it will at length produce a happy change: 



123 

His patient hearing, but he leer'd aloof, 
And balk/d nay friendly purpose. 

Chr. Then farewell 

My cherish'd hope for him! — His grovlling bent 
That faithful proverb well befits. — ' The dog 
' Turns to his vomit; and the filthy swine 
* Wash'd cleanly, to her wallowing in the mire/* 
— I fear that man will yet perish beneath 
The City's overthrow! 

Faith. My fears accord 

With thine;— ^-for, what mere human pow'r can stem 
A torrent's headlong rage? 1 

Chr. Enough, my Mend: — 

Our talk runs to the lees. Return thee now 
Ta thine own chequer'd history: — full fraught 
I ween with peril, or 'twere justly writ 
A solitary wonder. 

Faith, Thou hast deem'd 

Most truly.— I 'scap'd, indeed, the dismal Slough, 
(Thy first mischance,) but, ere I reach'd the Gate, 

* 2 Pet. ii. 22. 

1 Apostates are often ashamed to own they have had convictions. 
Even their former companions assume a superiority over them, do not 
thiok them hearty in the cause of ungodliness, and despise their cowardice 
and inslabiiity : while feeling that they want an apology, they have re- 
course to lies and slanders with abject servility. On the other hand they 
shun religious people, as afraid of encountering their arguments, warnings, 
and expostulations -. and thus are in all respects exceedingly contemptible 
and wretched. 

f2 



124 

On my lone path an artful Syren stole — 
Wanton her name — and, with bewitching smile 
And honied eloquence, hail'dme. The bright bloom 
That mask'd her cheek, vied with the virgin rose : 
Her winning glances, with sweet vernal beams: 
Her sighs doled forth, bland as the innocent breeze 
That wav'd her floating tresses. — Soft she chid, 
In flattering sympathy, my cheerless toil, 
And, pointing a deep grove, with smooth caress 
And pledge of sweet content her guile she plied; 
But prompt and stern I shunn'd her. — 

Chr. Joy to thee; 

All joy, my friend, to thee ; all thanks to heav'n! — 
Like Joseph's thine the peril and escape.* 

Faith. Nay, pure escape I boast not. — 

Chr. What ! wast thou snar'd 

By her accurs'd deceit? 

Faith. To no base deed; — 

That warning word — * Her steps take hold on hell/f 
Withstood me : — but my heart, my treach'rous heart, 
The quick contagion of her glance had pierc'd. — 
I took the' alarm ; and, with averted eye, 
And firm disdain, repuls'd her. — Then, O then, 
Brake forth the latent demon. — That smooth tongue 

* Gen. xxxix. 11—13. + Prov. v. U. Job xxxi. I. 



126 

PeaTd torrent curses, and vindictive rage, 
And lewd and loathsome ribaldry ; nor ceas'd, 
Till voice and venom faiPd. 1 

Chr. O blest escape ! — 

In her deep ditch the' abhorred of the Lord 
Alone shall perish.* But what next befel thee ? 

Faith. Just as the verge I press'd of that wild steep, 
The Mount of Difficulty; wrecked with age, 
A venerable Form saluted me.— 
With strict and garrulous inquest, first he learn 'd 
My name, my drift, my destiny : then, snnTd 
Benign, and proffer'd me secure abode 
Beneath his roof, with ever-new delights 
For my select employ, and dainty cheer, 
And final heirship to his wide domains* — 
Earnest I crav'd my benefactor's name, 
His fair abode, his household? — f Lo! my Son/ 
(Falter' d the hoary Sage,) ' before thee stands 
c Adam the First: — In fam'd Deceit I dwell: 
1 My very menials boast descent from me : 
1 While three prime daughters, Libertine Desire, 

• Prov. xxii. 14. 

1 Some men are preserved from desponding fears, by receiving more 
distinct views of the truths of the gospel, and thus they proceed with less 
hesitation and interruption, in seeking to Christ for salvation: yet, perhaps, 
their temperature, turn of mind, habits of life, and peculiar situation, 
render them more accessible to temptations of another sort; and they are 
more in danger from the fascinations of fleshly lusts. Thus in different 
ways the Lord makes his people sensible of their depravity, weakness, and 
exposed situation ; while he so moderates the temptation, or interposes for 
their deliverance, that they are preserved, and taught to ascribe all the 
glory to his name. 



126 

i Eye-Lust, and Pride of Life,* crown all my joys, 
* And shall he freely thine/ 

Chr. But say — how clos'd 

This golden prospect ? 

Faith. First, the dazzling bait 

Half won me; till, all wistful as I mus'd, 
Sudden, as by some radiant finger trac'd, 
On his deep forehead blush'd this timely charge — 
1 Put off the 9 Old Man, with his deceitful lusts.'f 
Keen as the glance of lightning, on my soul 
Flash'd full disclosure of his curst design : — 
Slavery my abject doom! — Abrupt I spurn'd 
The snaky sycophant. With furious scowl 
He flouted me askance ; and rail'd, and foam'd, 
And swore my further pilgrimage to plague 
With some relentless foe : then, as I turn'd 
Indignant, to depart, savage he sprang 
And pluck'd me back: — So deadly was the shock, 
All rack'd and dislocate, yea, asunder torn, 
Seem'd every joint! — In raging agony 
I writh'd, I groan'd aloud, ' O wretched man Y% 
And, from his vile grasp bursting, climb'd the steep mount 1 



• 1 John ii. 10. + Eph. iv. 22. % Rom. vii. 24. 
1 Those christians, who by strong faith or assured hope, endure hard- 
ships more cheerfully than their brethren, may sometimes be exposed to 
greater danger from the allurements of outward objects. Deep humiliation 
and great auxiety about the event, in many instances, tend to repress the 
lusts of the heart, by supplying a continual succession of other thoughts 
and cares, whilst constant encouragement, readily attained, too often 
• man to experience them more forcibly. Nay, the same persons, 
irho under pressing solicitude seem to be entirely delivered from some 



127 

With palpitating fear of his sworn threat ; 
Till just upon the midway cliff, and near 
The settle's bow'ry shelter,— 

Chr. Alas! my friend, 

Too well I know that dainty spot: — 'Twas there, 
In that soft arbour, I with sluggard sleep 
Dallied, and lost my day, and this fair Roll, 
And 

Faith. Nay, brother, hear me through; — The midway 
cliff 
Just scaTd, I turnM; when, lo! swift as the wind. 
An awful Visitant, with uplifted arm 
And stormy brow, o'ertook me. — 'Twas but with him 
A word and a blow !— At one tremendous aim 
He fell'd me to earth for dead! — Anon, reviving 
To diszy consciousness, I meekly rais'd 
Mine eyes, and ask'd, wherefore he dealt me thus ? — 
With voice of thunder he denounc'd my crime, 
My bent to the First Adam; and again 
Smote me a breathless victim at his feet! — 
Once more, half risen upon my trembling knee, 
I cried him mercy; — ' Mercy?' he exclaim'd, 
* /know no mercy!' — — and, with a deadlier blow 



peculiar corruptions, rind them revive and become very importunate when 
they have obtained more confidence about their salvation. The OLD Ada.m, 
the corrupt nature, proves a constant snare to many believers, by its thirst- 
ing after the pleasures, riches, honours, and pride of the world: nor can the 
victory be secured without great difficulty and trouble, and strong faith 
and fervent prayer. 



128 

Crush'd me: 1 linger'd as at my latest gasp, 

When, lo! a glorious Messenger of grace 
Bade him forbear, and touched me back to life! l 

Chr. Who thus befriended thee? 

Faith. At first, I knew not 

My kind Deliverer; but, as he pass'd, 
Mild in his majesty, his name I trac'd 
By those deep tokens of Eternal Love 
That scarr'd his hands and feet ! — Cheer'd by the beam 
Of his compassionate eye, onward I press'd, 
And clear'd the hill's last ridge. 

Chr. Thy story thrills me !-— 

— The swift avenger of thy secret sin, 
Was Moses: Jealous of his broken Law, 
Though but in heart transgressed ; wrath, wrath, he deals 
Unsparing; but sweet mercy never deigns. 

Faith. Yea — well I knew by that terrific frown 

1 The doctrine of MOSES did not essentially differ from that of Christ: 
but the giving of the law, that ministration of condemnation to all sinners, 
form'd so prominent a part of his dispensation, that " the law" is said to 
have been " given by Moses," while " grace and truth came by Jesus 
"Christ." Even such desires of things forbidden as are effectually op- 
posed and repressed, being contrary to the spirituality of the precept, 
" Thou shalt not covet," often greatly discourage the new convert; who 
does not duly recollect, that the gospel is intended to relieve those who 
feel themselves justly condemned by the law. Yet these terrors prove the 
occasion of deeper humiliation, and greater simplicity of dependence on 
the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, as " the end of the law for righteousness 
•• to every one that believeth." Many for a time escape discouragement, 
because they are but superficially acquainted with their own hearts: yet 
it is proper they should be further instructed by such conflicts as are here 
described, in order to their greater stability, tenderness of conscience, and 
compassion for their brethren, in the subsequent part of their pilgrimage. 



129 

The Law's stern Guardian; 'Twas he, threatened my home 
With fire and desolation ; and first rous'd 
To pilgrim zeal my perilous delay. — 

Chr. But when you climb'd the hill top, mark'd you not 
A glorious palace? 

Faith. That fair and princely pile, 

With its grim guard of lions, fix'd indeed 
My wondering gaze : — Yet, though at their length out- 
stretched 
In noontide slumber, while the palace-gate, 
Flung wide in frank sincerity, betokened 
My welcome there ; I passed on, for my shred 
Of precious day to guide me down the hill. 1 

Chr. EVn so the Warder noted thee, when I, 
After long stay, was at the point to leave 
That profitable mansion : — Would that my friend 
Had tarried there awhile ! — Thou hadst enjoyed 
A feast of wonders ne'er to be forgot. — 
— But what within Humility's lonely vale 
Befel thee ? 



1 This circumstance seems to implyv that, in the author's judgment, 
even eminent believeis sometimes decline entering into communion with 
their brethren, according to his views of it; and that very lively affections 
and strong consolations may render them less attentive to externals. In- 
deed he deem'd this a disadvantage and a mistake, (which seems intimated 
by Faithful's not calling either at the House of Interpreter, or at 
the House BEAUTIFUL,) yetthat isnotasufficientreason why other Chris- 
tians should not cordially unite with them. — This is a beautiful example 
of that candour, in tespect of those things about which pious persons dif- 
fer, that consists with decided firmness in the great essentials of faith and 
holiness. 

f3 



130 

Faith. First, upon my steady course 

Stole sallow Discontent: — With peevish whine, 
Complaining of low cares, and drudging toils, 
And miseries, and contempt, encountered there, 
He thought to have urg'd me back: —then, twitted me 
'Twas hazarding offence to my choice friends, 
Pride, Worldly-glory, Arrogance, Self-conceit* 
— I granted him (though loth) their rightful claim 
To kindred, but not friendship: — And, to his scorn 
Of the low Valley, I retorted him, 
6 A haughty spirit bodes a heavy fall : 
' But honour springs from deep humility.'* 1 

Chr. Who next assaiFd thee? 

Faith. Scarce had I brush'd aside 

This puny churl, when, skulking at my heel, 
Shame haunted me, and, stride for stride, measur'd 
My quickened pace : But ne'er was bashful name 
So falsely giv'n, so impudently worn! — 



* Prov. xvi. 18. 

1 While some believers are most tried with inward fears and conflicts, 
others are more tempted to repine at the outward degradation, reproach, or 
ridicule, towhich religion exposes them. A man perhaps, at first, may flat- 
ter himself with the hope of avoiding the peculiarities and extravagances, 
which have brought enmity or contempt on some professors of the gospel: 
and of ensuring respect and affection, by caution, uprightness, and benevo- 
lence : but further experience and knowledge constrain him to adopt and 
avow sentiments, and associate with persons, that the world despises. And, 
seeing himself invincibly impelled by his conscience, to a line of conduct 
which ensures the reproach of enthusiasm and folly, the loss of friends, and 
manifold mortifications, he is powerfully assaulted by discontent; and 
tempted to repine, that the way to heaven lies through such humiliations 
and worldly disappointments: till the considerations, adduced in FAITH- 
FUL'S answer, enable him at length to overcome this assailant, and to 
11 seek the honour that cometh from God only." 



131 

A shrewd rebut, a frown, an argument, 

Dash'd puling Discontent; but, that bold Shame 

Would never be said nay. 

C h R. What was his drift ? 

Faith. He jeer'd Religion for abase concern, 
Low, sneaking, pitiful : — The tender pangs 
Of a quick conscience, womanish and weak:— * 
The holy watch o'er thought, and word, and deed, 
The meek restraint of hectoring liberty, 
(Bragg'd by the world's brave spirits,) he alleged 
Move the world's sneer. — He minded me, how few 
Of the rich, or wise, or mighty, ever drudg'd 
In pilgrim gear, nor any such, till, madden'd 
With ideot fooleries, they have truck'd their all 

For airy-fashion'd hopes. On those keen stings.' f 

And trembling throes of conscience-stricken guilt, 
Dealt by the preached Word, he hooted c Shame ! : — ~ 
* Shame/ on the man who craves, for trivial wrongs, 
An injur'd friend's forgiveness; or, who renders 
Promp restitution for a secret fraud. 

Chr. And how didst thou shape thy answer? 

I 

Faith. Silent, awhile*, 

A very dolt I stood, till the base biood 
Rush'd cowardly to my cheek. But, brac'd anon 
To manly daring, I retorted him 
Bold truth for each bold lie. — I bade him'learn 



132 

That l what is most esteem'd in man's account, 

' Is God's supreme abhorrence/* — I laid bare 

His deep deceit in measuring right and wrong 

By man's false standard, whilst HeavVs sacred Law r 

That only arbiter of good and ill, 

That rightful minister of man's last doom, 

He dwindled into nought ! — These truths charg'd home,. 

I resolutely vow'd to hold with Him, 

Who stamps Religion His best gift to man; 

Who cheers the stricken conscience with his smile ; 

Who, (Wisdom's Self!) accounts divinely wise 

The heaven -bound few, though scorn'd by the world for 

fools ; 
And richer the poor saint who loves his Lord, 
Than the proud prince who hates him. — Thus, having 

swept 
Aside his flimsy sophistry, I maul'd him 
With this rough-handed thrust: — 'Curs'd Shame, begone * 
1 Traitor to my best hopes; foe to my peace! — 
6 How shall I face at His tremendous bar 
1 My injur'd Lord, if I renounce his Cause, 
6 His Ways, and Chosen-Ones, to league with thee ?f — 

1 Begone! — tempt me no more!' With that, his bold 

Brass-vizor'd front, wan'd to a dastard paleness ! 
Awhile he lurch'd behind; then, snake-like, stole 
Close at my ear again ; mutt'ring, though foil'd, 
Some villanous slander or malignant truth, 
In resolute despite; till, stung to rage, 

• Luke xvi. 15. + Mark viii. 3& 



133 

At one collected effort I shook off 

That galling meddler, and pursu'djny way. 1 

Chr. A noble triumph thine ! — That artful tongue 
Full many a shallow pilgrim hath decoy'd 
Back to the world, its riches, honours, pleasures;— 
As thus 'tis writ; — ' The wise inherit Glory; 
i But Shame is the promotion of the fool. ? * 
— But was this foe thy last ?-. 

Faith. Ev'n so: — All peace, 

All sunshine, thenceforth, was my favour'd path 
Through all the vale; yea, ev'n the Shadow of Death 
Was brighten'd into day. 2 

* Prov. iii. 35. 

1 Persons of a peculiar turn of mind, when enabled to overcome tempt- 
ations to discontent about worldly degradation, are exceedingly prone to be 
influenced by false shame,,and to profess religion with timid caution; to be 
afraid of declaring their sentiments with freedom in some places and compa- 
nies, even when the most favourable opportunity occurs; to shun in part the 
society of those whom they love and esteem, lest they should be involved 
in the contempt cast on them; to be reserved and inconstant in attending 
on the ordinances of God, entering a protest against vice and irreligion, 
bearing testimony to the truth, and attempting to promote the gospel. 
The constant trouble which this criminal and unreasonable shame occa- 
sions some persons, contrary to their judgment, endeavours, and prayers, 
gave our author the idea, that * this enemy bears a wrong name/ There 
are some who hardly ever get the better of this false shame ; and it often 
brings their sincerity into doubt, both with themselves and others: but 
flourishing christians at length in a good degree rise superior to it, by 
such considerations as are here adduced, and by earnest persevering prayer. 

2 Christian in great measure escaped the peculiar temptations that 
assaulted FAITHFUL; yet he sympathized with him: nor did the latter 
deera the gloomy experiences of his brother visionary or imaginative, 
though he had been exempted from them. One man, from a complication 
of causes, is exposed to temptations of which another is ignorant; and in 
this case he needs much sympathy, which he seldom meets with : while 
they who are severe on him, are liable to be baffled in another way, which, 
for want of coincidence in habit, temperature, and situation, he is eqnally 
prone to disregard. Thus christians are often led reciprocally to censure, 
suspect, or dislike each other, on those very grounds which would render 
ttiem useful and encouraging counsellors and companions! 



134 

Chr. O, blest indeed!— 

Far other lot was mine. — 'Midst haunted shades, 
Fierce demons, hideous deaths, long, long I steer'd : — 
— A polly on first assail'd me: — In close fight 
With that arch-fiend, full many a ling'ring hour 
Had laps'd ; till, crushed beneath his mountain-bulk, 
Reft of my sword, menaced with instant death, 
I breathed a prayer amidst his yell of triumph : — 
Deliverance quickly came: — With strength divine 
I plung'd, in his heart's blood, my rescued sword, 
And drove him back to hell ! — Then, I passed down 
To the deep Valley of the Shadow of Death, 
And grop'd half through in total darkness ; till, 
Fierce from hell's gulph, a flood of sulphurous fire 
Glar'd on my path ; dreadlier than blackest gloom ! — 
— Still, on I press'd; when, sweetly visitant, 
Pure day-spring from on high beaming around, 
Safe wrought me through the Vale. 

Such high discourse 
Pursuing, Faithful spied, in lonely mood 
A ruddy Pilgrim, (Talkative his name/ 

1 The character here introduced, under a most expressive name, is an 
admirable portrait, drawn by a masterly hand from some striking original, 
but exactly resembling numbers in every age and place, where the truths 
of the gospel are generally known. — TALKATIVE is not so called merely 
from his loquacity ; but also from the peculiarity of his religious profession, 
which gives scope to his natural propensity, by furnishing him with a 
copious subject, and enabling him to display his talents, or seek credit 
among pious persons, without the trouble and expense of practical god- 
liness. Such vain talkers especially appear when religions profession is 
safe, and reputable, and even in many casesconducive to secular advantage. 
They may, therefore, be expected in our age and nation, particularly in 

r>opulous places, where the preaching or profession of any doctrine excites 
ittle attention or surprise, but ensures regard and favourfrom a numerous 
body who hold the same opinions. 



135 

Tall, but less comely at a nearer view,) 
And thus saluted him. — c Whither away?— 
' If ours be thy destined course, freely partake 
' Our company.' — 

Talk. Most willingly :— In hope 

Of better chance, I toward the heav'nly land 
Thus far have sped unsocial; and I joy 
Your kindly- tender 'd intercourse to share. 

Faith. The like to thee:— and be our chosen theme 
What best becomes our sacred destiny. 

Talk. Well turn'd, my friend :— To talk on things divine 
Is ever my delight ; — too rare, indeed, 
Such lofty scope in these degenerate days, 
But thence to me more grateful. 

Faith. Thy just complaint 

I zealously accord : — for, what thrills sweeter 
In earthly converse, than to raise the soul 
Anticipant of heav'n? 

Talk. Well said : — well said : — 

Such heav'nly talk is sweetly profitable, 
And profitably sweet. — Is any charm 
In things historic, mystic, lofty, deep ? 
Do wonders, tokens, miracles, delight? 
Whence shall the tongue such varied store provide 
As from the Sacred Records? 



136 

Faith. True — but see 

Thou reap not husks for fruit: — Profit alone 
Should be our drift. 

Talk. My echo, friend, again! — 

'Tis that same point I press. — Such wise discourse 
Grows to sound knowledge ; — knowledge general, 
Of the stark vanity of earthly things, 
The sov'reign excellence of things above : — 
And knowledge special, of man's total need 
Of new and heav'nly birth : — the nothingness 
Of Works, till stampt with Righteousness Divine : — 
The nature of true penitence, faith, prayer : — 
The consolations, promises, (how rich!) 
Seal'd to the heirs of grace: — Knowledge, in brief, 
That nerves to steady valiance for The Truth, 
And makes ev'n folly's self supremely wise. 

Faith. Granted: — but mark — knowledge to fruit 
matur'd, 
Is heav'n's own gift; nor diligence, nor talk, 
(Celestial aid withheld,) one grace can yield. 

Talk. Nay — trust me, friend, these trite, these obvious 
truths, 
I have not now to learn : — full well I know 
Man's ev'ry talent is a gift from heav'n : — 
That grace, not works, commends him. — Proof on proof, 
Scripture on scripture, endless, I could cite. 
But spare your patience. 



137 

Faith. Say then, what single theme 

Shall fix our conference? 

Talk. E'en what you will.— 

Alike to me things earthly, things divine ; — 
Moral, or evangelic: — Sacred things, 
Or things profane : — Things past, or things to come : — 
Things foreign, things at home: — Essentia! things, 
Things circumstantial; — All alike tome 
That aims our profit. 

Glowing with surprize, 
Apart in Christian's ear Faithful pour'd forth 
A lavish greeting, on their happy chance 
To join that wondrous Youth. 1 — With modest smile 
The wary Pilgrim heard ; and thus ungloss'd 
The smooth imposture.— 

6 Truly, my friend, that tongue, 
' That babbling fount of folly at full play, 
1 Charms most, who least have known him : but, to me r 

1 Zealous christians, who are not well established in judgment and ex- 
perience, are often greatly taken with the discourse of persons, who speak 
fluently and plausibly on various subjects, with a semblance of truth and 
piety; yet they sometimes feel, as it were, a defect in their harangues, 
which makes them hesitate, though they are easily satisfied with specious 
explanations.—TALKATIVE'Sdiscourseiscopied, with surprising exactness, 
from that of numbers who learn doctrinally to discuss even experimental sub- 
jects, of which they neverfelt the energy and efficacy in theirown souls. Men 
of this stamp can take up any point in religion with great ease, and speak 
on it in an ostentatious manner: but the humble believer forgets himself, 
while from his heart he expatiates on topics which he longs to recom- 
mend to those whom he addresses. Humility and charity, however, dis- 
pose men to make the best of others, and to distrust themselves: so that, 
unless connected with proportionable depth of judgment and acuteness of 
discernment, they put them off their guard, in respect of vain-glorious 
talkers. It would be conceited and uncandid, they think, to suspect a 
man, who says so many good things, with great confidence and zeal; their 



138 

1 Each genuine feature more correctly shows, 
i Than to his own vain self.* 

Faith. Who, then? — What knave 

Hath dealt me thus deceitfully? 

Chr. His true name 

Is Talkative ; — ambitious, he would shine 
Our idle town's prime Oracle !— His father, 
High-minded Say-well, vaunts him for a sage: 
But, stript of his fine prate and borrow'd plumes, 
He fades a sorry cheat ! — Our town is wide, 
Or, doubtless, thou hadst known him well. 

Faith. 'Tis hard 

To think such knavery in such fair disguise. 

Chr. Nay, brother, far more difficult to doubt, — 
No taint of scandal, spleen, or rancorous gall, 
Venoms my tongue : — Believe me, friend, he shews 
Like some gross daub; most distant, most approved: — 
Saint tho' he shine abroad, at home he storms 
A churl, a pest, a devil : — Each meek child 
Smit with a trembling conscience, he disowns : — 
His house, his heart, his converse, spice no more 
Of grace, than of pure balm the desert-blast. 

dissatisfaction with the conversation they suppose was their own fault; if 
they disagreed with the speaker, probably they were in an error; if a doubt 
arose in their minds about his spirit or motives, it might be imputed to 
their own pride and envy.— Thus they are seduced to sanction what they 
ought to protest against, and to admire those whom they should avoid; 
and that even by means of the most amiable dispositions!— —What fol- 
lows is peculiarly calculated to rectify such mistakes, and to expose the 
consequences of this ill-judged candour. 



139 

Ev'n the dumb brute shames this ungodly Brag, 
And better serves his Maker. — His vile tongue 
Chimes to the popular tone, whatever the theme :— • 
Tavern and tenaple, profligate and pure, 
Boast equal charms for ^tm;-^Yea, most he teems 
With gospel tattle, when his maudlin brain 
Reels o'er the thrice-drain'd bowl ! 

Faith. Alas! how strange, 

How scandalous the cheat! — 

Chr. Most strange: Yet thus 

Speaks the sure Word of Truth : — c They say, and do not. 
1 But grace divine stands not in word, but power/* 
— This man is pure religion's foulest blot; 
Its bitterest reproach ; its deadliest foe.f — 
At this proud stone of stumbling, crowds on crowds 
Have perish'd in their guilt. — Fraud is his trade : 
His sport, the sufferer's plaint : Slander, his food : 
His music, Misery. — Ev'n his prime friends 
Once fall'n dependant, curse their easy faith : — 
Wife, children, servants — all, in turn, all prove 
His tend' rest mercies cruel. — -r- — 

Faith. O, may /shun 

Their fatal heresy, who thus mistake 
Truth's lifeless carcase for the living soul !— 
—The gracious unison of sacred knowledge 

* Matt, xxiii. 3. 1 Cor. iv.20. + Rom. ii. 23, 24. 



140 

With answering deeds, minds me of that sound test 
Ordain'd by Moses 'twixt unclean and clean.*— 
Yon empty babbler ruminates the cud-— 
Gross, ill-digested knowledge; — while the zest 
Of sin unquelTd, and sinners unrenounc'd, 
Prove (like the' unsever'd hoof) his heart unclean. 

Chr. Well hast thou sketched him ; and the Apostle's 
hand 
With apt similitude of c sounding brass 
1 And tinkling cymbal/f fills up the faithful draught 
At one bold master-stroke. 1 

Faith. Truly, my friend, 

I savour'd not, at first, his idle prate, 
And now, (his deep-mask'd infamy laid bare,) 
I loathe it, and am e'en for speedy riddance. 

* Lev. xi. Deut. xiv. t 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. xiv. 7. 

1 Talkative seems to have been introduced on purpose, that the 
author might havt a fair opportunity of stating his sentiments concerning 
the practical nature of evangelical religion, to which numbers in his day 
were too inattentive: so that this admired allegory has fully established the 
important distinction between a dead and a living faith, on which the whole 
controversy depends. We may boldly state the doctrines of the gospel 
with all possible energy and clearness, and every objection must ultimately 
fall to the ground, and every abuse be excluded, provided this distinction 
be fully and constantly insisted on: for they arise without exception from 
substituting some false notion of faith, in the place of that living, active, 
and efficacious principle, which the Scriptures so constantly represent as 
the grand peculiarity of vital godliness. — The language used in this pas- 
sage, is precisely the same as is now branded with the opprobrious epithet 
of legal, by numbers who would be thought to admire the PILGRIM. — 
The practical part is accurately denned to be the unfailing effect of that 
inward life which is the soul of religion. True faith justifies, as it forms 
Lbe tinner's relation to Christ; but it "always works by love," and in- 
fluence! to obedience : hence the enquiry at the day of judgment will be 
i.ithtr about the inseparable fruits of faith, than about its essential pro- 
pertiefl and nature. 



141 

Chr. Then ply with cogent Scripture his vain heart: 
Urge home the pow'r of grace ; and he shall shrink 
With sick'ning consciousness from that keen probe, 
And drop, unbid, our company. 1 

Tutor'd thus, 
Faithful rejoin'd him, and his drift pursu'd. 

Faith. How now, my friend? What cheer ? 

Talk. I thank ye, well :— 

Happy, alone or social ; but, free talk 
With liberal way-mates is my chiefest pleasure, 
And much I had hop'd with thee. 

Faith. Then let us fall to. — 

— Recount me some sure tokens of a heart 
By saving grace renew' d. 

Talk. Your onset, friend, 



1 Very plain and particular declarations of those things, by which trtie 
believers are distinguished from the most specious hypocrites, (whether in 
conversation or preaching,) are best calculated to undeceive and alarm false 
professors » and form the most commodious fan, by which the irreclaim- 
able may be winnowed from the society of real christians. This is of great 
importance: for they are ACHANS in the camp of ISRAEL, yea spots and 
blemishes to every company that countenances them. Doctrinal or even 
practical discussions, it confined to general terms, do not startle tjhem ; 
they mimic the language of experience, declaim against the wickedness of 
the world and the blindness of phansees, and strenuously oppose the opi- 
nions held by some rival sect or party i they can endure the most awful 
declarations of the wrath of God against the wicked ; supposing themselves 
to be unconcerned : nay, they will admit that they are backsliders, ox 
inconsistent believeis. But when the conversation or sermon compels them 
to complain, ' in so saying thou condemnest us also ;' they will hear no 
longer, but seek refuge under more comfortable preachers, or in mote 
candid company; and represent their faithful monitors as censorious, 
peevish, and melancholy. 



142 

Is rather sudden ;-~but a brief reply 

Unstudied, may suffice.?— — First, then^— the soul 

By saving grace regenerate — 

Vents loud and bitter outcries against sk*v~~— 
Again— 

Faith. Nay, hold! — ^ay, ratfeery mourns 

and loathes 
Sin's inward taint. 

Talk. By what strange subtlety 

Wouldst thou detach sin loath'd from sin decry'd? 

Faith. Full many a flaming zealot rails at sin 
With politic design; but he alone 
Abhors it truly, who resists its pow'r. — 
Ev'n ghostly guides may preach it into shame, 
Yet spare it in the heart, the house, the life. — 
Joseph's lewd tempter raised the virtuous cry, 
Whilst wallowing deep in lust.* — Yea, thousands toy 
With sin, as some fond mother with her babe: — 
First chide, then strain it closer to their heart ! 

Talk. No more of that: — You take me at a catch. — 

Faith. Truly, not I: — I only sought to clear 
From a crude baulk our threshold of debate. 
— But name thy second proof. 

• Gen. xxxix 11 — 15 



143 

Talk. True graee r is prov'd 

By knowledge deep m gospel mysteries. 

Faith. That sign, of right, racks first; but, first or last, 
Alike 'tis false ;— Great gospel-knowledge, bloats 
Full many a graceless heart:* Gur master crowns 
With his high praise, not the profoundly taught, 
But the prompt doer of his righteous will. 
Knowledge alone, though angel-tongu'd, can charm 
None but the boastful babbler : But, when knit 
With influential faith and duteous love, 
These character the saint, and meet for heav'n. 1 

Talk. Still lying at a catch! — Your fine-spun logic 
Turns to sheer cavilling ! 

Faith. Nay, then propound 

Another sign ef grace — ev'n what you please. 

Talk. Truly not I, till flood with fire agree. — 

Faith. Then grant me leave to speak. 

Talk. Freely :• — Proceed. — 

• l Cor. 13. 

1 Spiritual knowledge, obtained by an implicit belief of God's sure 
testimony under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, producing a hearty love 
of revealed truth, is always humbling, sanctifying, and transforming : but 
speculative knowledge is a mere notion of divine things, distinct from a 
man's own concern in them, or a due apprehension of their excellency and 
importance, and which puffs up the heart with proud self-preference, feeds 
carnal and malignant passions, and leaves the possessor under the power of 
sin and Satan. 



144 

Faith. The rich possessor of true grace, is prov'd 

By kindred signs, to himself, and all around. 

Himself, by these sure tokens.— He bewails 
With deep conviction, his original guilt, 
Inborn, inveterate : — Its malignant stain 
In heart, lip, life. — But, chiefly, he execrates 
That master-tyrany — that damning sin, 

Proud, stubborn unbelief.* His soul thus driven 

To *eZ/*-despair, the Sinner's Friend reveals 

His suited fulness of effective grace.- 

He thirsts, he hungers, to partake and prove 
That sovereign antidote of guilt and woe.f 1 — 
To these intense desires, free pardon, peace, 
Rest from the love and dominant pow'r of sin, 
With filial duty to the Will Divine, 
Are dealt infallibly ; but, scanty or full, 

* Psa. xxxviii. 18. Markxvi. 16. John xvi.8, 9. Acts iv. 12. Rom. vii. 24. 
t Jer. xxxi. 19. Matt. v. 6. Gal. i. 15, 16. Heb. vi. 17. Rev. xxi. 6. 

1 Divine teaching convinces a man that he is justly condemned for 
transgressing the law, and cannot be saved unless he obtain an interest in 
the merits of Christ by faith; and that unbelief, or negle+t of this great 
salvation, springs from pride, aversion to the character, authority, and law 
of God, and love to sin and the world; that it implies the guilt of treating 
the truth of God as a lie, despising his wisdom and mercy, demanding 
eternal happiness as a debtfrom his justice, and defying his "wrath revealed 
11 from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." This 
conviction makes way for discovering that a free salvation by faith is 
exactly suited to his case ! he perceives the glory of the divine perfections 
harmoniously displayed in the person and redemption of Christ; and his 
In art is inwardly drawn to close with the invitations of the gospel, and 
to desire above all things the fulfilment of its exceedingly great and pre- 
cious promises to his soul. — By the revealing of the grace of Christ, no 
more is meant than the illumination of the Holy Spirit enabling a man to 
understand, believe, admire, and love the truths of the Bible respecting 
Christ; and not any new revelation, declaring his interest in the Saviour, 
by a whisper, vision, or any such thing. These enthusiastic expectations 
and experiences have deceived many, and stumbled more: and have done 
greater barm to the cause of evangelical religiou than can be conceived or 
expressed. 



145 

As faith, (from the sworn Promiser supplied) 
Draws deep, or sparing, at the fountain head. 1 

To an observant world, he thus appeals. — 
Dauntless he testifies his unfeigned faith 
In the Divine Redeemer : Yet not vouched 
In word alone, (the hypocrite's hollow pledge,) 
But, in full yielding to the power of Truth, 
And just accordance with its every claim, 
Domestic, public, personal. — These, these 
Alone, stamp with the sterling seal of heav'n 

A genuine work of grace. *« If any point 

Calls for a disputant reply, say on ; 
Or, hear me again. 

Talk. Truly, thy sapient speech 

Hath char m'd me mute:— Proceed:— Thou the sage teacher, 
And I the humble scholar ! 

Faith. Answer me, then : — 

Does thy faith stand in empty word and form, 

Or very deed and truth? Nay, broach me nothing 

But what thy Conscience and all-seeing Heav'n 
May seal with a joint Amen. 



* Job xlii, 5, 6. Psa. 1. 23. Ezek. xx. 43. Matt. v. 8. John xiv. 15. 
Rom. x. 9, 10. Phil. i. 27. 

1 The prevalence of those fervent desires and earnest expectations, in 
which the exercise of true faith greatly consists, is the proper evidence of 
saving grace; and the sweet spirit of reliance and confidence, which is 
inseparable from frequent and earnest applications to the Saviour, put 
vigour into all holy affections and exertions. 



146 

The pointed charge 
Stung deep: — Guilt crimsoned his hard front; while rage 
Half curbed, half vented, at his quivering lip 
Struggled with down-dash'd pride. — 

' To task me thus 
' By tests of conscience, and appeals to heav'n, 
' Moves only my silent scorn. — Thy self-conceit 
4 Mounts thee, forsooth, Inquisitor and Judge ! — 

t But to thy bar J bow not: Now, prithee tell me, 

' What means this pick-lock scrutiny V 

Faith. Hear then: — Methought 

Ev'n from the very first, thy forward tongue 
So voluble, so vain, betray'd mere notion 
In things divine ; but now, full proof on proof 
I have drawn forth, confirming my worst fears. — 
Yea, thou art ev'n reported far and wide, 
A mouth-professor, a mere wordy-wise 
Pretender to religion. — 4 Tush V they say, 
' This man is pure religion's foulest blot; 
1 Its bitterest reproach; its deadliest foe. — 
' Heedless of harm, on this vile stone of stumbling 
1 Frail crowds on crowds have perish'd in their guilt. — 
1 Saint though he shine abroad, at home he storms 
L A churl, a pest, a devil. — His base tongue 
4 Chimes to the popular tone, whate'er the theme: — 
1 Tavern and temple, profligate and pure, 
' Boast equal charms for him: Yea, most he teems 
1 With gospel tattle, when his maudlin brain 



147 

* Reels o'er the thrice -drain'd bowl!' The proverb hits 

Alike the harlot 7 s infamy and thine: — 
She, ' scandal to her sex ;' to pilgrims, thou. 1 

Talk. What! slur me to my face? But thou art 

safe : — 
In moody petulance thus to blot my fame 
With foul-rak'd slander, hearsay, and suspicion, 
Proves thee some driv'lling melancholy tool 
Of knaves and fools. — I pity thee! and spare: — 
Thy o'er-tax'd brain cries mercy. — Fare thee well!— 



1 It is not enough to state practical and experimental subjects in the 
plainest and most distinguishing manner: Christians, and particularly 
ministers, ought also to apply them to men's consciences, by the most 
solemn and particular interrogations. — In public indeed, care must be 
taken, not to turn the thoughts of a congregation to an individual: yet 
we should aim to lead every one to reflect on his own case, and excite his 
conscience to perform the office of a faithful monitor. But in private, 
when we have ground to suspect that men deceive themselves, such plain 
dealing is the best evidence of disinterested love. It is at present, alas! 
much disused, and deemed inconsistent with politeness; so that, in many 
cases, an attempt of this kind would be considered as a direct outrage and 
insult : and perhaps, in some circles, the language of these plain Pilgrims 
might be exchanged for that which would be less offensive, without de- 
ducting from its energy ; yet zeal for the honour of the gospel, and love to 
the souls of men, are, no doubt, grievously sacrificed to urbanity, in this 
age of courteous insincerity. 



g2 



THE 

PILGRIMS PROGRESS. 

BOOK VI. 



The friendly pair their happy riddance now 
Congratulate; — when Christian thus began: — 

Chr. Well hast thou proved my words: — Thy barb'd 
reproof 
Yon graceless brawler's lusts stung to the core, 
And scar'd him back ! — To spare one darling sin, 
Our oifer'd fellowship, our purest joys, 
Our hopes, our heaven, in his vile account 
Are cheaply bartered '.—But, since thus he leaves us, 
Ours is glad riddance; his alone the loss. 1 



1 The apostolic rule, "from such withdraw thyself," is of the greatest 
importance. While conscientious christians, from a mistaken candour, 
tolerate scandalous professors and associate w|th them, they seem to 
allow that they belong to the same family; and the world will charge 
their immoralities on the doctrines of the gospel, saying of those who pro. 
fess them, l They are all alike, if we could find them out.' But did all, 
who " adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour," withdraw from such men ; 
their crimes would rest with themselves, and the world would be compelled 



150 

Faith. Ev'n so; — but my close dealing, kindly keen,, 
May yet stick fast:— Perchance, some honest truth 
Well ponder'd, he may prize ; or, if he perish, 
Just heav'n shall hold me guiltless of his blood. 

Chr. Thou hast done well: — Relaxed in holy zeal, 
Few, few can dare in these degenerate days 
Such faithful reckoning: — thus, these base, debauch'd^ 
Malignant talkers, taint Religion's charms 
Like livid cankers ; till her blighted fame 
Breathes an abhorrent savour: — While, close leagued 
With her true friends in motley fellowship, 
Their vain and scandalous walk puzzles the world ; 
True Pilgrims mourn their glorious Cause betray'd ; 
And Hell, triumphant, riots in their shame. 
— Were but a host of zealous Champions, 
Like thee, with holy courage to outbrave 
These tongue-taught hypocrites, such wholesome daring 
Would either hotly rid them, or reclaim. 

Thus had they rang'd, unconscious of the toil, 
A weary wilderness; when, quick behind them, 
Echoed a coming footstep: — With keen joy 
They hail once more their venerable friend 
Evangelist; who their greeting thus returned. 



to see the difference between hypocrites and real christians. This is also the 
most effectual method of exciting self.deceivers or inconsistent professors 
to self-examination, and of thus briuging them to be ashamed and humbled 
in true repentance: and at the same time, it tends to deprive such men of 
that influence, which they often employ to mislead and pervert hopeful 
enquirers and unestablished believers. 



151 

6 Peace! peace, beloved! — To your helpers peace! 
' And rich reward 1 /* 

Chr. Thrice welcome to my heart! — 

My earliest guide, my heav'n-conducted friend, 
All hail ! — Thy kindly countenance awakes 
Sweet memory of thine ancient zeal and love, 
Unspar'd, unwearied, on my best account. 

Faith. O, welcome, more than utfrance can express, 
Thrice honour'd, blest Evangelist ! All hail! — 
These timely visitings divinely soothe 
Our pilgrim path with soul-refreshing cheer! 

Thus greeted, the benevolent Pastor urg'd, 
Parentally discreet, a brief recount 
Of their late pilgrimage.— — In simple speech 
The' ungloss'd memorial meekly they rehears'd, 
Alternate, and Evangelist thus replied. — 

1 Right gladly have I heard your well-clos'd trials. — 
1 Not in your griefs I joy, but, that ye prove 
' In conflict, victors ; in temptations, firm ; 
' In weakness, strong ; ev'n to this very hour.— 
i In travail I have sown, in peace ye reap : 
' Sure earnest of that day, pledg'd to reward 
4 Unfainting ardour with unfading bliss; — 
' That day, when he that sows and he that reaps 

* 1 Chron. xii. 18. 



152 

* Together shall rejoice.* — Keep full in view 

i TV incorruptible Crown : — Let no man wrest 

' Your glorious prize :f — Press onward to the end. — 

1 — Not yet past bow-shot of the Prince of Hell, 

' Nor sin to blood resisted, let no charm 

' Of earth, seduce your vigilance and zeal. 

6 — Let realizing faith hold in full view 

1 Your promis'd kingdom. — Bar with jealous heed 

' Each avenue of sense : but, chiefly, beware 

c Those bosom-traitors — your deceitful hearts ; 

1 False above all things ; desperately vile ! — 

' Be valiant: Set your faces faces like a flint : 

' Quit ye like men! — The Powers of heaven and earth ;- 

' Saints, Angels, yea, the Sovereign Lord of all, 

i Leagued in your Cause, shall hail your victory.' 1 

The grateful Pilgrims his preceptive care 
Thank'd fervently, and besought him to disclose 
Prophetic, what new perils they must share ; 
And teach them how to endure. 



* John iv. 36. Gal. vi. Q. tl Cor. ix. 24—27. Rev. iii. 11. 

• The author, intending in the next place to represent his Pilgrims as 
exj$>sed to severe persecution, and to exhibit in one view what christians 
should expect, and may be exposed to, from the enmity of the world, very 
judiciously introduces that interesting scene by EVANGELIST'S meeting 
them, with suitable c;iutions, exhortations, and encouragements. The 
minister by whose faithful labours a man is first directed into the way of 
salvation, commonly retains great influence; and is considered with special 
affection, even when various circumstances have placed him at a distance 
under some other pastor. The conversation, therefore, of such a beloved 
friend, tends to recal to the minds of believers their former fears, trials, and 
deliverances, which animates them to encounter further difficulties, and 
opens the way for seasonable counsels aud admonitions. 



153 

Ev. Attend, my sons : — 

One fateful page 'tis granted you to scan 
Of HeavVs unfolded counsels;— seek no more. — 
—Full well ye know, (by past experience taught, 
And the sure records of Eternal Truth,) 
Through tribulations numberless, ye must win 
The glorious kingdom : — Foes, afflictions, bonds, 
Abide you still ; yea, terrors yet unthought. 
— A little onward, dauntless ye must brave 
An impious town's rude clamour. — Slanders, taunts, 
The sanguinary rage of savage throngs, 
Shall close beset you : till, seiz'd, harassed, bound, 
Arraigned, condemn'd ; be certain, one, or both, 

Must seal his witness to the truth in blood ! 

— Faithful to death, yours is the crown of Life. — 
Happiest (though shuddering flesh recoils,) the first 
Who, from protracted woes to endless bliss, 
Mounts in the friendly storm. — Quit you like men! 
Confide your spirits to His watchful care 
For life or death, who claims you for his own. 1 



1 The able and faithful minister can foretel many things, from his 
knowledge of the Scriptures, and enlarged experience and observation, of 
which his people are not aware. He knows before hand, "that throngh 
" much tribulation they must enter into the kingdom of God ;." and the 
circumstances of the times aid him in discerning what trials and difficul- 
ties more especially await them. A retired life shelters the believer from 
the enmity of the world : and timid men are often tempted on this account 
to abide in the wilderness ; to choose obscurity and solitude, for the sake of 
quiet and safety, to the neglect of those active services for which they 
are qualified. But when christians are called forth to more public situa- 
ations, they need peculiar cautions and instructions: for inexperience 
renders men inattentive to the words of Scripture ; and they often do not 
at all expect, or prepare for, the trials which are inseparable from thoee^ 
scenes, on which they are perhaps ev#a impatient to enter. 

g a 



154 

Here paus'd the monitory Sage; then, slowly r . 
In sweet benignant majesty withdrew : 
Whilst deeply pensive, the devoted pair 
Pursued their silent way. 

The wild now pass ? d r 
High tow'rs and glitt'ring spires arise, 
Profanely pointing to the skies 
In gaudy mockery, 'midst the pride 
Of Pleasure's haunts on ev'ry side. — 
— Thus glar'd upon the dazzled eye 
The far-fam'd town of Vanity !* 

Constant throughout the circling year 
Is held a motley-crowded Fair 
For revel-sports, and idle sights, 
And sordid pelf, and lewd delights, 
(The fool's enchanted paradise) 
To lure th' infatuate slaves of vice. 
Apollyon, regent of the land, 
With Beelzebub and Legion plann'd 
These mummeries on the King's highway, 
To tempt unwary souls astray. 1 

* Eccles. i. 2. 14. 11. 17. xi. 8. Isa. xl. 17. 

1 VANITY'FAIR, represents the wretched state of thing3, in those popu- 
lous places especially where true religion is neglected and persecuted ; 
and indeed of " the whole world lying in wickedness," as distinguished 
from the church of redeemed sinners. This continues the same (in respect 
of the general principles, conduct, and pursuits of mankind,) through all 
ages and nations: but christians are called to mix more with it, at some 
times than at others : and Satan, the god and prince of it, is permitted to., 
excite fierce persecution in some places and oa some occasions, while at other 
times he is restrained. Mr. Bunyan, living in the country, had frequent 



155 

—Once, through those haunts, in all their pride 
Of folly at a full-moon tide, 
The Prince of Heav'n disdainfully 
Pass'd to his glorious throne on high. 
Him, Beelzebub with hellish wile 
Intently laboured to beguile, 
And thus assail'd him. — ' I assign 
6 The town's rich lordship all for thine, 
' Yea, the whole world's wide sovereignty, 
1 If thou fall down and worship me/ 
But from each dazzling bait he turn'd 
Indignant, and the wary Tempter spurn'd. 1 

The Pilgrims now in downcast mood 
Pac'd the gay Town. A savage brood 
With hubbub hoarse, and deaFning din, 
And gaping wonder wide a-grin, 

The pensive strangers throng'd around. 
Their solemn port and pilgrim vest 
They banter for a standing jest: — 

' Barbarians ! bedlams ! fools !'* resound 

* I Cor. iv. 9, 10. 

opportunities of witnessing those fairs, which are held first in one town 
and then in another ; and of observing the pernicious effects produced on 
the principles, morals, health, and circumstances of young persons 
especially, by thus drawing together a multitude, from motives of interest^ 
dissipation, and excess. 

1 Christianity does not allow men to u bury their talent in the earth," 
or to put "their light under a bushel :" they should not " go out of the 
■• world," or retire into cloysters or deserts: and, therefore, they must all 
go through this Fair. Thus our Lord and Saviour endured all the temp- 
tations and sufferings of this evil world, without being at all impeded or 
entangled by them, or stepping in the least aside to avoid them. The ag« 
in which he lived peculiarly abounded in all possible allurements : and he 



156 

From ev'ry quarter: whilst the tone 
Of Canaan's language, all unknown, 
Grates on their ears in accents crude ; — 
A babbling jargon gross and rude. 

Thus through the mart with mournful gaze 
They pass, 'midst scenes could only raise 
Disgust, and scorn, and griev'd amaze. — 
On either hand, for instant trade, 
With tinsel gaudery were displayed 
In sign or substance — Houses, lands ; 
Pensions and bribes for courtly bands; 

Preferments, titles, sceptres, thrones, 
Countries and kingdoms. There, a-row, 
Seductive trick'd in sordid show, 
Bawds, panders, harlots, servants, slaves, 

Souls, bodies: — While each scaffold groans 

With silver, gold, and costly stones — ■ 
Yea, all the sickly fancy craves ; — 
The bane of fools, the thrift of knaves. 

In a wide area, choak'd with keen 
And constant votaries, might be seen, 
(Quitted of cost,) Games, fooleries, cheats; 
Deep jugglers at their wizard feats; 
Plays, apes, and rogues in large supply ; 
Rapes, murders, — crimes for ev'ry eye, 



was exposed to such enmity, contempt, and sufferings, as could never be 
exceeded or equalled. But He " went about doing good ;" and his whole 
conduct, as well as his indignant n pulse of the tempter's insolent oiler, 
hath emphatically shewn his judgmentof all earthly things, and exhibited 
to us u an example that we should follow his steps." 



157 

And foul false- swearers of a blood-red dye. 
— Here too, full many a thriving mart 
Each several nation holds apart, 
With vanities in motley pride 
From ev'ry distant clime supplied. 
But chief, proud Rome her tinsel ware 
Vociferous vaunts beyond compare : — 
Her gewgaws, nostrums, mummeries, shrines, 
Her foisted miracles and signs, 

Once priz'd through half the globe: but now, 
Full many a nation, wiser taught 
By sound experience dearly bought, 
Spurns the stale trash for empty show. 1 



1 Worldly men covet, pursue, grasp at, and contend for, the things of 
time and sense, with eagerness and violence; so that their conduct aptly 
resembles the bustle, selfishness, artifice, dissipation, riot, and tnmult of a 
large crowded fair. The profits, pleasures, honours, possessions, and dis- 
tinctions of the world, are as transient and frivolous as the events of the 
fair-day ; with which children are delighted, but which every man of sense 
contemns. Solomon, after a complete experiment, pronounced the whole 
to be "vanity of vanities;" the veriest vanity imaginable, a complex 
vanity, an accumulation of cyphers,' a lottery consisting entirely of blanks j 
every earthly object being unsuitable to the wants of a rational soul, un- 
substantial, unsatisfactory, disappointing and perishing. — The carnal mind 
always haukers after one trifle or other, and longs 'for change of follies, 
4 and relays of joy ; 'while objects suited to its feverish thirst are always at 
hand to allure it, deriving their efficacy from continually pressing, as it 

were, on the senses. When our first parents were fatally prevailed on to 

join Satan's apostacy, they " forsook the Fountain of living waters, tahew 
" out for themselves broken cisterns ;'* and the idolatry, of seeking happi- 
ness from the creature instead of the Creator, has been universal among 
ail their posterity.— — No crime has ever been committed on earth, or 
conceived in the heart of man, which did not arise from this universal 
apostacy and idolatry ; from the excess, to which the insufneiency^of the 
object to answer the proposed end, gives rise; and from the vile passions 
which the jarring interests or inclinations of numberless competitors for 
honour, power, wealth, and pleasure, cannot fail to excite. As the.streams 
of impiety and vice,' which now from this source, are varied, according to 
men's constitutions, education, habits, and situations: so different worldly 
pursuits predominate in divers nations, or stages of civilization. — The 
merchandize of ROME, which suited a rude and ignorant age, has now 



>* 



158 

Thus through besotted crowds, and vile 
And ribald scenes, the Pilgrims toil : — 
Nor wand'ring wish for gilded bane, 
Nor ev'n one curious glance they deign. 
Tempted to traffic, they reply 
' The Truth— The sacred Truth we buy. 
Still urg'd, they stop their ears, and sigh, 
And breathe to Heav'n the fervent prayer, 
(With looks that speak their treasure there y -\) 

1 O turn mine eyes from Vanity V\ 
— Bandied abroad from tongue to tongue, 
The solemn Word incessant rung 
Through the base rout, with hideous yell : 
Whilst, madly fraught with rage from hell, 
Riot, and rack, and wild affray, 
Clamour, and clang, triumphant bray 
From frantic myriads high and low; 
Till sign of instant overthrow 
Menac'd the Fair. 1 — Swift tidings brought 

• Prov. xxiii. 23. + Matt. vi. 20, 21. Phil. iii. 20, 21. 
X Psa. cxix. 37. 

Riven place to the more plausible wares of sceptical philosophers, which 
are more agreeable to the pride of learning and human reasouing. — Even 
things lawful iu themselves, when sought, or possessed in a manner which 
is not consistent with "seeking first- the kingdom of God, and his righte- 
" ousuess," become allurements of Satan, to draw sinners into his fatal 
snare. 

1 The presence of real christians in those places, where a laige concourse 
of worldly men is collected for sinful purposes, must produce a disturbance 
and effervescence-, and the smaller the number is of those, who by 
their actions, words, or silence protest against vice and impiety, the 
fiercer the opposition that will be excited. — A pious clergyman, on board 
:\ vessel, where he was a tiugli exception to the general ungodliness that 
prevailed, gave great offence by constantly but silently withdrawing, when 
oaths or unseemly discourse made his situation uneasy; and he was called 
to account for so assuming a singularity! — The consistent believer is 
always deemed precise and uncouth, insane or outlandish , in the judgment 
•oi' those who M walk according to the course of this world." His discourse,. 



159 

To their liege lord, with slander fraught, 
He, jealous, with a trusty few, 
Spake order; and the Pilgrims drew 

(Brutely exultant o'er his prey,) 
To stand before a venal crew, 

For the wild uproar of that day. 

Now, in mock-majesty of solemn state, 
The' infernal congress challenged them, Whence they came ? 
Whither bound ? and Wherefore in such uncouth trapping 
They wander'd there ? 

1 True Pilgrims from afar* 
(Intrepid they replied) ' and strangers here, 



seasoned with piety, humility, and spirituality, so differs from " the filthy 
•' conversation of the wicked," and the polite simulation of the courtly, 
that they can have no intercourse with him, or he with them : and when 
he speaks of the love of Christ, and the satisfaction of communion with 
him, while they " blaspheme the worthy name by which he is called ;" 
they must seem barbarians each to the other. But above all, the believer's 
contempt of worldly things, when they interfere with the will and glory 
of God, forms such a testimony against all the pursuits and conduct of 
carnal men, who " think it strange that he will not run with them to the 
"same excess of riot," as must excite their greatest astonishment and 
indignation "These men" (it is alleged,) "who turn the world upside 
"down are come hither also;" "they exceedingly trouble the city," 
town, or village, by their uncharitable discourse and example ! — Thus 
Satan takes occasion to excite persecution, when he fears lest the servants 
of God ■hould successfully disseminate their principles: and persecuting 
princes and magistrates, his most trusty friends, are deputed by him to 
moiest and punish their peaceable subjects, for conscientiously refusing 
conformity to the world, or for dissenting from doctrines and modes of 
worship which they deem unscriptural. Thus, the most valuable members 
of the community are banished, imprisoned, or murdered; multitudes 
are tempted to hypocrisy ; encouragement is given to time-servers to seek 
secular advantages by acting contrary to their consciences ; the principles 
of sincerity and integrity are generally weakened or destroyed, by multi- 
plied prevarications and false professions ; and numerous instruments of 
cruelty and oppression are involved in this complication of atrocious 

crimes. In Fox's Martyrs we meet with authenticated facts that fully 

equal this allegorical representation : nay, ' The Acts of the Apostles' givsV 
us the very same view of the subject. 



160 

' We seek the heav'nly Zion — our blest home. — 

* Harmless we fare; nor tumult, nor abuse, 

* Nor this sore hindrance on our peaceful way, 

* Provok'd or sanctioned ; save, when scornfully urg'd 
' To sordid traffic, boldly we replied 

" We buy the Truth ;" and stopped our ears, and prayed 
" O turn away our eyes from Vanity." 

Deaf to their plea, the demagogue divan 
Rail'd them i fanatic troublers of the state,' 
Worthy the felons' doom. 

Unnumbered stripes they dealt; 
Then, clotted with the town's vile slough, 

Cag'd them for popular sport. — 

From ev'ry quarter 

Crowds rush'd on crowds with diabolic shouts, 
Mad for the pastime; and, with hellish glee 
Slak'd their hot enmity : Whilst in meek return, 
The patient victims, pity for reproach, 
Blessings for curses, prayers for murd'rous threats, 
Breath'd ardently. — The fire of heav'nly love 
Thus kindly scattered 'mid th' infuriate throng, 
Touch'd the stern soul of many a forward foe 
To soft compunction. — These, zealous to skreen 
The passive sufferers, on themselves drew down 
The rabble's total rage ; till, scoff for scoff, 
Menace for menace dealt, the fierce feud ended 
In bloody fray. 



161 

Now, stung to deadlier hate. 
The savage Council once again, sumnion'd 
Their fated Captives on the' insisted charge 
Of that day's riot. — The relentless scourge 
Again they wreak'd on ev'ry bleeding scar, 
With gust of demon-rancour. Then, fast bound 
In ponderous manacles, the mute pilgrims trail'd 
Faint and emaciate through the gazing mart 
In warning terror, sedulous thus to quell 

The gently-rising sympathy : Vain hope ! — 

Their sainted meekness fann'd th' infectious flame ; 
Whilst ev'ry pleading wound and generous tear, 
Won some obdurate heart. — Their foes, thus mock'd, 
Gnash'd with convulsive rage, and swore their doom- 
Death — bloody death! 1 — Then, to their grated hold 
Thrust brutally, and rack'd in the felon stocks, 
They left them, to await their final test, 



1 The contempt, injustice, and cruelty, with which persecutors treat the 
harmless disciples of Christ, gives them an occasion of discovering that 
amiable conduct and spirit which accord to the precepts of Scripture, and 
the example of persecuted prophets and apostles ■. and this often produces 
the most happy effects on those who are less prejudiced, which still more 
exasperates determined opposers ; yet it frequenth' procures a short respite 
for the persecuted, while worldly people quarrel about them among them- 
selves. And even if greater severity be at length determined od, persevering 
prudence, meekness, and patience, amidst all the rage of their enemies, will 
bear testimony for them in the consciences of numbers; their religion will 
appear beautiful, in proportion as their persecutors expose their own odious 
deformity; God will be with them to comfort and deliver them ; he will 
be honoured by their profession and behaviour, and many will derive the 
most important advantage, from their patient sufferings and cheerful for- 
titude in adhering to the truths of the gospel. But when believers are put 
off their guard by ill usage; when their zeal is rash, contentious, boast- 
ing, or disproportionate ;"when they are provoked to render "railing for 
'• railing," or act contrary to the plain precepts of Scripture; they bring 
guilt on their consciences, stumble their brethren, harden the hearts and 
open tae mouths of opposers, dishonour God and the gospel, and gratify 
the great enemy of souls; who malignantly rejoices in their misconduct. 



162 

And tragic end.— There, mournfully they mus'd 
On each accordant fact, so faithfully 
Fore-shadow'd by their heav'n -directed friend. 
Then, calmly they revolv'd his treasur'd charge, 
His parent-blessing, and his parting smile ; 
Till, to the marty'rs cross, the martyr's crown, 
Aspiring, (yet their allotment left to Heav'n,) 
Each wish'd the glorious precedence his own ! 

Now to the Sovereign Senate, full cunven'd 
In sanguinary pomp, rav'ning for blood, 
Were drawn the fated Pilgrims.— Shrink aloft 
Sat Hategood, in congenial sable cowl'd. 
Beside him, twelve sworn Sycophants his nod 
Awaited;— their sole dictate:— Whilst around, 
A band of lawless myrmidons, deep spell'd 
In sophist subtleties, with a ribald rout 
Of jailors, flesh'd assassins, perjur'd knaves, 
Summ'd the satanic Session. Now, stood forth 
The grand Accuser; and, with villain front 
Denounc'd the Pilgrims Troublers of the Town; 
Foes to its lawful traffic ; and the tools 
Of wide defection to their pestilent schism, 

And treason against the throne. The slur thus flung, 

Calm 'midst the stern Convention, Faithful stood, 
(The Champion of that day,) and prompt replied — 

' Bear witness, all who hear me.— Firm to our faith, 
1 We scorn'd, indeed, each impious vanity 
1 That mock'd the mandates of our rightful Lord; 



163 

€ Yet, sons of peace, no tumult we provok'd :— 

1 Our noted innocence and truth alone, 

1 Gain'd the relenting few — blest in their change 

1 From sin's base thrall to sacred liberty. — 

1 — And for your Prince, our King's eternal foe, 

' Him and his banded myriads I defy!' 1 — 

A momentary pulse of guilt-struck awe 
ThrilFd through the hush'd assembly . — Then, at command,. 
A boisterous herald summoned for their Prince 
Three perjur'd minions. — First, with jealous leer, 
Pale Envy scann'd his victim, and thus launch'd 
His deadly-venom'd gall. 

1 My lords, full well 
' I know this factious heretic: — and, on my oath' 

Judge. Hold! hold I — Give him his oath. — 

Envy. And on my sacred oath, 

Spite of his plausible name, and saintly gear, 



1 Our courts of justice in Mr.BUNYAN'sdays were shamefully perverted 
to subserve the most iniquitous oppressions. — The allegorical narrative is 
framed in such a manner, as emphatically to expose the secret reasons, 
which influence men to persecute their inoffensive neighbours ; and the 
very names employed declare the several corrupt principles of the heart, 
from whence this atrocious conduct results. — Enmity against God, and his 
holy character, law, worship, truth and servants, is the principal source of 
persecution; the judge\i\ Faithful's trial. The interference of spiritual 
religion with men's covetous, ambitions, and sensual pursuits; and the 
interruption it gives to their false peace, and unanimity in ungodliness or 
hypocrisy, which it tends to expose and undermine, form the grounds of 
the indictment -. that is, when the persecuted do not suffer " as evil doers, 
" busy-bodies in other mens matters," ambitious competititors for secular 
advantages, or contentious disputants about political questions. 



164 

Denounce him ripe for matchless villanies. 

Base rebel to our Prince, our modes and laws, 

Fain would he pest the world with nostrums rank 
With treason ; but, by him, canted abroad 
For i grave concerns of faith and holiness/ 
Yea, lately, with heretic zeal I heard him broach 
That true religion, and the modes and laws 
Of this our town of Vanity, stand, nVd 

Eternal opposites : Thus, at one breath, 

Our wise and wholesome Institutes he bans, 
And us their sworn defenders. 1 

Judge. Know'st thou aught else 

To impeach this heretic ? 

Envy. Much, much, my lord: 

But time, and your worn patience, now forbid: — 
Yet, in default of proof to fix his fate, 
I pledge my further evidence. 



1 Envy represents one of the most forward and active instruments of 
persecution. — The Jewish Scribes and Priests were actuated by envy, in 
delivering up Jesus to Pilate. His instructions discredited their's, and di- 
minished their reputation and influence : he was more followed than they : 
and in proportion as he was deemed a teacher sent from God, they were 
disregarded as blind guides. Thus formal instructors, and learned men 
who are strangers to the power of godliness, have always affected to despise 
the professors and prachers of the gospel as ignorant enthusiasts. They 
envy the reputation acquired by them, and are angry at the successof their 
doctrines. If they cannot prevail upon " the powers that be" to interfere ; 
they will employ reproaches, menaces, or even oppression, to obstruct the 
progress of evangelical ministers: they will represent those, who refuse 
religious conformity, as disloyal, and disaffected to the civil government of 
their country; because they judge it " right to obey God rather than 
" man !*' and should any obsolete law remain unrepealed, of which they 
can take advantage, they will be the first to enforce it: and if the rulers 
engage in persecution, they will take the lead, as prosecutors and witnesses. 



165 

Next, all gloom, 
Haggard, and gaunt, and grim with recent gore, 
Rose purblind Superstition, hooded close, 
And, (some dark spell first muttering,) thus brake forth. 

c Much of this man I know not, nor desire. 
€ Yet, one broad fact speaks volumes. — Challeng'd home, 
* This pestilent schismatic dar'd. retort 
' Ev'n to my teeth, that our high mysteries, 
1 Our faith, our practice, bear the brand of Hell 
' Indelible, and rouse the wrath of Heav'n! — 
1 — Thushath he judged our worship vain and void ; 
' Our souls deep dregg'd in guilt ; and our sure doom 
' Damnation! Say — why slacks our just revenge?' 1 

Scarce had he clos'd, when, all a-foam for vent, 



1 SUPERSTITION characterises another class of underling persecutors. 
Traditions, human inventions, forms, and externals, appear to them decent, 
venerable, and sacred ; and are mistaken, with pertinacious ignorance, for 
the substance of religion. As mere circumstances of worship, some of 
these may very well answer the purpose ; provided they be not imposed, 
magnified above their value, or substituted in the place of things essen- 
tially good . others are bad in their origin, use, and tendency; yet the 
truths, ordinances, and commandments of God are made void, that men 
may keep them ! What is pompous or burdensome, appears to suGh men 
meritorious ; and the excitement of mere natural passions, (as at a tragedy,) 
is deemed a most needful help to true devotion. They are, therefore, emi- 
nently qualified to be witnesses against the faithful servants of God : for they 
11 think they are thus doing him service," while they are opposing a com- 
pany of profane despisers of their idolized forms ; a set of fanatics, heretics, 
and pestilent schismatics! Their religious zeal contracts and hardens 
their hearts; and the supposed goodnessof the cause sanctifies their bitter 
rage, enmity, and calumny. The extreme odiousness of these proceedings 
should excite all who love the truth, to keep at the utmost distance from 
such obstinate confidence and violence ; to discountenance them to the 
utmost in the zealots of their own sentiments ; and to leave the enemies 
of the gospel, if posible, to monopolize this disgrace. For hitherto, almost 
all parties have been betrayed into it, when advanced to power; and this 
has given the enemies of Christianity their most plausible arguments 
against it. 



166 

Pickthank (a busy-meddling knave) upsprang, 
And launch'd his venom. — 

' This vile sot, my Lord, 

* Long have I noted ; and, in public haunts 

' Oft heard him rail, and execrate, and defame 

' Our great Beelzebub. -—Whilst his noble friends, 

' Old-man, Insatiate, Luxury, Carnal-mind, 

* Vain-glory, the' old Lord Lechery; — these, with all 
' Of kindred eminence, the traitor marks 

c (His plot once ripe,) for banishment or death!— 

* Yea, ev'n his Judge — your sacred self, my Lord, 

' Hath he denounced with many a foul-mouth'd curse, 

* Too scandalous to name!' 1 

Each witness heard, 
The sable President with stern brow bent 
Full on the fated sufferer, hoarsely storm'd — 

' Base traitor! recreant! heretic acours'd! 
' Hear'st thou thy sworn accusers?' 



1 PICKTHANK represents a set of tools that persecutors continually use ; 
namely, men of no religious principle ; who assume the appearance of zeal 
for any party, as may best promote their interest ; and who inwardly 
despise both the superstitious and the spiritual worshipper. These men 
discern little in the conduct or circumstances of believers to excite either 
their rage or envy : but if their superiors be disposed to persecute, they 
will afford their assistance; for preferment runs in this channel. So that 
they bear their testimony from avarice or ambition, and flatter the most 
execrable characters, in order to get forward in the world •. this being the 
grand object to which they readily sacrifice every thing else. — The names 
of those against whom FAITHFUL spoke, shew that his crime consisted in 
protesting, by word and deed, against vices which thegreat too often think 
themselves privileged to commit without censure; and not in reviling the 
persons or misrepresenting the actions of superiors. 






167 

Faith. I stand forth 

A Champion for the Truth; and humbly crave 
Your patient hearing. 

Judge. Villain!— 'twere just 

This moment on thy guilty head to wreak 
Our law's full vengeance: but, that the world may know 
By special proof, our liberal clemency, 
We grant our gracious audience. 

Faith. My worst crime, 

By Envy sworn foul treason, is, that I hold, 

Each mandate, ordinance, custom, or device 

Of prince or people, that supplants heav Vs law, 

Subverts all true Religion. Prove me unsound, 

And instantly I recant. 

In brief reply 

To Superstition, 'tis my settled creed 

That all pure worship of the King of Heav'n 

Must spring from faith divine: — That faith divine 

Claims for its origin His will reveai'd. 

Each service, therefore, by that sacred rule 

Unsanctioned, springs alone from human faith, 

Nor tends nor profits to eternal life. 

And, for the bitter score by Pickthank sworn, 
'Tis true, (bating each scurrilous term,) I hold 
'Twere joy that your proud Prince with all his train 
Were banish'd hence to Hell. — I wait my doom, 



168 

And Heav'n have mercy on me! 1 - 



As to the cry of some defenceless kid, 
Echoes the murderous yell of midnight wolves 
Fierce ravening all around ; so, through the hall, 
A savage murmur of impatient rage 

Sounded the Pilgrim's death-knell. Then, the Judge 

His twelve obsequious hirelings thus gave charge. 

* Ye see this man, of riot and revolt 
' Chief mover, and have heard his thrice-sworn guilt, 
' His full reply, confession, and defence. — 

* Your voice condemns or saves him : but 'tis meet 
' For just decision, that ye ponder well 

' The tenor of our law. In the blest reign 

' Of Pharaoh the renown'd, our Prince's friend, — 
' To crush an embryo heresy, 'twas ordain'd 
1 That each male progeny of th' infected crew 

* Should glut the sacred Nile.* In the proud days 
6 Of Babylon, her far-fam'd Prince decreed, 

* Exod. i. 

1 Christians in circumstances of persecution, should take occasion to 
bear a decided testimony to the truths, commandments, and institutions 
of Scripture. That faith by which alone we approach to God, and accept- 
ably worship him, has no other object than divine revelation; nothing 
done without the express warrant of Scripture, can be profitable to eternal 
life, whatever may be said for its expediency ; but eveiy thing foisted into 
religion contrary to that sacred rule, must be an abomination. And, as 
we seldom can speak against the vile lusts of men, without being judged 
by implication to rail against such as are notoriously addicted to them, 
we cannot be followers of him, " whom the world hated because he testified 
" of it that its works were evil," unless we be willing to risk all couse- 
quences in copying his example. 



169 

* That all who dar'd refuse, at his prompt word, 

* To* adore the Golden Image, should be cast 

' 'Midst a fierce fiery furnace.* With like zeal 

* For our grand Heirarchy, Darius doom'd 

* That whoso durst, save to his godlike self 

< His prayer prefer, should that same hour be hurl'd 

' To hungry lions. f These our ancient laws, 

' Convict this traitor of atrocious guilt, 
' Not in design alone, or secret plot, 

* But wide-inflamatory word and deed. 

' The first recited edict was ordain'd 

' For embryo crime ; but here is crime matur'd: 
4 The rest for active treason ; treason, prov'd 
' Against this factious heretic, by the oath 
1 Of special witnesses ; and, by his own vile tongue 
1 Vaunted, in full confession. What remains 

* But that he die the death V 1 

Their charge thus summ'd, 
In mock deliberation they withdrew, 
And each his several judgment thus put forth. — 

• Dan. iii. t Dan. vi. 

1 A more just and keen satyrical description of such legal iniquities can 
scarcely be imagined, than that contained in this picture. The statutes 
and precedents adduced, (witb well imitated reference to the manner in 
which charges are commonly given to juries;) shew what patterns perse- 
cuting legislators and magistrates choose to copy, and whose kingdom 
they labour to uphold. Nor can any impartial man deny, that the inference 
is fair which our author meant the reader to deduce ; namely, that nominal 
protestants, enacting laws requiring conformity to their own creeds and 
forms, and inflicting punishments on such as peaceably dissentfrom them, 
are actually involved in the guilt of these heathen persecutors, and of 
their anti-christian successors; even if their doctrine and worship he al- 
lowed to be scriptural and spiritual. For these methods only serve to 
promote hypocrisy, and to expose the conscientious to the malice, envy, or 
avaiice of the unprincipled. 

H 



170 

Blindman. I clearly see, 'spite of his saintly cloke, 
This man's an artful heretic. 

No-good. r Away — 

Away with such a fellow from the earth ! 

Malice. I loathe his very look. 

Love-lust. A prying plague ! — 

I never could endure him. 

Live-loose. My best delights 

He bitters and condemns. 

Liar. A sorry villain ! 

High-mind. A very wretch! — 

Heady. I vote him hang'd outright. 

Enmity. My spirit rises at his very name. 

Cruelty. Mere hanging is too merciful. 

Hate-light. Despatch him 

Ev'n as you will ; — prompt riddance is my vote. 

Implacable. Not worlds could bribe me to relent, or 
spare him. 
Be then our settled verdict * Guilty — Death.' 



171 

Returned to the grim Council, with one voice 

They gave the fatal word. A deafning shout 

Of savage joy, hurst from the frantic throng ; 
Whilst many a gory miscreant to his doom 

Dragg'd their mute sacrifice. First, the knotted scourge 

They plied : then, buffeted, and spurn'd him down, 
Grov'lling, beneath their feet : Then, lanc'd and gash'd 
Each tenderest nerve ; and ston'd, and pierc'd him deep 
With many a death -dealt wound ; till, their mad rage 
Full glutted with his blood, his mangled form 
On the rude stake they rack'd, and, with slow flame 

Consumed him ! 

But, whilst exulting crowds, with hellish glee, 
Gloz'd on their ruthless deed ; a fiery car, 
With angel convoy, and by light-win g'd steeds 
Sublimely wafted, paus'd o'er the smouldering pile :-— 
When, lo ! refin'd, seraphic, half divine, 
From his pale ashes, in immortal prime 
Upsprang the glorious martyr ; and, to the sound 
Of solemn trumpets, in a whirlwind soar'd 
Majestic, to the heav'n of endless joy. 1 



1 The names of the jury, and their general and particular verdict*, the 
truel execution of FAITHFUL, and the happy event ofhis sufferings, needno 
comment. It was not iudeed the practice of the times in which our author 
lived, to inflict death on those who were persecuted for conscience' sake: 
yet very great rigours were used ; and the system then adopted, if carried 
to its consequences, must have ended in the extermination of all non-con- 
formists from the land : it was natural to expect still greater cruelty from 
persons who were found capable of the severities already experienced : and 
beyond all doubt many actually lost their lives, in one way or other, by 
the persecutions to which they were exposed. All those who feel a dispo- 
sition to employ the power of the magistrate against such as differ from 
them in religious matters, should attentively consider the contemptible 
and odious picture here delineated, with the most entire justice, of the 

H2 



172 

whole race of persecutors, and of their characters, principles, motives, and 
conduct : that they may learn to hate and dread such an anti-christian 
practice, and shun the most remote approaches to it. On the other hand, 
they who are exposed to persecution, or in danger of it, should study the 
character and conduct of FAITHFUL, that they may learn to surfer in a 
christian spirit, and to adorn the gospel in the fiery trial. 



THE 

PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 

BOOK VII. 



Thus Faithful his bold witness seaPd with blood: 
While Christian lingered many a hopeless day 
In a dank dungeon ; till, his foes' mad spite 
(Stemmed by the Sov'reign Ruler of their rage,) 
Yielded to savage mercy, and they thrust 
Their hated captive on his peaceful way. 1 



1 When the believer has done his work, the wrath of man may be per- 
mitted to expedite his removal to his heavenly inheritance; but all the 
malice and power of earth and hell are utterly unavailing to cut off any 
one, till the purposes of God respecting' him are accomplished. Thus the 
apostles were preserved during Saul's persecution, and Peter was rescued 
from the hands of Herod. The Lord has various methods of protecting 
and liberating his servants : sometimes he intimidates their persecutors"; 
the paroxysm of their fury abates ; or they are disheartened by ill success 
in their efforts to extirpate the hated sect; the principals and instru- 
ments are left to quarrel among themselves; their cruelties disgust the 
people, so that they dare not proceed; political interests engage even 
ungodly princes to promote toleration, andchain np the demon persecution; 
or the Lord raises up one of his own servants to authority, that he may be 
a protector of his church, and disappoint the devices of his enemies. 



174 

Yet not alone he far'd : — From the base throng 
One happy convert to the zeal, the love, 
The patient sufferings of the pilgrim pair, 
(Hopeful his name,) for Zion nobly bent, 
Join'd him in sacred covenant ; and foretold 
A goodly band should follow. 1 

Scarce had they clear'd 
The hated town, when, to their mutual joy, 
A lonely-plodding Stranger they o'ertook : — 
Whom Christian thus accosted. 

i Whither away, 
1 Good friend? and whence V 

Stranger. From Fair- speech: and keen set 

On pilgrimage for Zion. 

Chr. From Fair-speech ! — 

Doth any good dwell there ?* 

Str. Much, friend, I hope. 

* Prov. xxvi. 25. 

1 l The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church :' for sufferings 
properly endured, form the most convincingand useful kind of preaching. — 
The name of Christian's new companion, denotes the opinion which 
established believers form at first, of such as begin to profess the gospel in 
an intelligent manner. The nature of an allegory rendered it impracticable 
to introduce the new convert, as beginning his pilgrimage from the same 
place, or going through the same scenes, as CHRISTIAN had done : neither 
could FAITHFUL, for the same reason, be represented as passing the river 
of death, afterwards mentioned. But the brotherly covenant, in which 
HOPEFUL joined himself with his companion, must be supposed to imply 
the substance of all that had been spoken of, as necessary to anil acceptance* 



175 

Chr. Pray may I crave your name? 

Str. Excuse me that: — 

Mere strangers as we are, it matters not : — 
But if my road you travel, let me partake 
Your company. 

Chr. Your town, methinks, is fam'd 

For princely opulence. 

Str. Report speaks true. — ■ 

My numerous kindred shine unrivalFd there. 

Chr. Your pardon for the freedom, Who are they? 

Str. Almost the' whole town: but, chiefly, those high 
Peers, 
Fair-speech, Time-server, Turn-about: and, next 
In rank and fortune, Smooth-man, Janus, An y-thing. — 
These, Sir, with Double-tongue, our ghostly guide, 
(My mother's brother by the father's line,) 
Are my prime boast. — Nor less, (shaping the truth,) 
Has open-handed fortune smil'd on me, 
Though from a humble ferryman I sprang, 
My father's grandsire : — Nay, from that same craft, 
( c Look one icay, roiv the other,' was my plan,) 
I won my large estate. 

Chr. So : — Art thou wedded ? 



176 

Str. To my heart's wish, — A virtuous wife is mine, 
The high-born daughter of that noble dame 
The Lady Feigning : and her breeding such, 
She carries it alike to high and low, 

To prince and peasant. Our religion, too, 

Wears no mean honours, though in some slight whims, 

With the quaint few we square not. — First, we hold 

Tis idle buffeting with wind and tide. 

Next, to fair Piety our court we pay, 

When, silver-slipper'd she parades abroad 

In crowds and sunshine: — then, Sir, we're proud to join 

Her shouting favourites, and her smiling train. 

His clue now gathered, Christian stept apart, 
And thus to his friend low whisper'd. 

6 This bold Braggart, 
' Be sure is By-ends; — a notorious trickster; 
' A knave to the very core/ 1 



i The character of BY-ENDS, and the group that attended him, forms 
a clear detection and merited condemnation of a largecompany of false pro- 
fessors; and is not at all inferior in importance to the preceding- severe 
satire on open persecutors. — When rest is given to the Church, hypocrites 
often multiply more than real christians. The name of this man, and 
those of his town and relations, do not merely describe his original cha- 
racter and situation, (as CHRISTIAN was at first called GRACELESS of the 
city of DESTRUCTION;) but they denote the nature of his religious pro- 
fession. Believers look back on their former principles and behaviour 
with shame and abhorrence; but hypocrites, when reproved for evident 
sins, excuse them, because Christ came to save the lost, and because he is 
merciful to the rhfef of sinners. CHRISTIAN would readily have granted 
that no good dw 't at his native city; and on that very account he had 
renounced it with all his old connexions: but BY-ENDS hoped better of 
FAIR-SPEECH, and gloried in his honourable relations there. Yet he was 
ashamed of his name: for men arc unwilling toallow that they seek nothing 
more than worldly advantages by religion. The names here selected, are 
most emphatically descriptive of that whole company of professed christi- 
ans who, under various pretences, suppose that 4 * gain is godliness." The 



177 

Hope Challenge his name 

Again: — He should not be asham'd of that. — 

Chr. to Str. You talk as tho' you'd oracle the world 
With wisdom all your own ; and, if my mark 
Be rightly hit, methinks your name should be 
By-ends, of Fair-speech. 1 

By. A mere wanton slur; — 

An odious nick-name ; — to my envied worth 
Tack'd by a few sworn foes. — But, 'tis my cross! 
And I must e'en content me that I bear 
The badge of all true pilgrims. 



polite simulation and dissimulation, which some most courtly writers have 
inculcated, as the summit of good breeding, the perfection of a finished 
education, and the grand requisite for obtaining consequence in society ; 
if introduced into religion, and adopted by professors or preachers of the 
gospel, in connexion with fashionable accomplishments and an agreeable 
address, constitute the most versatile, refined, and insinuating species of 
hypocrisy that can be imagined. Such men will not be long in learning 
the beneficial art of using two tongues with one mouth, and of looking 
one way and rowing another: and perhaps they may improve their for- 
tunes by an honourable alliance with some branch of the ancient family 
of the FEIGNINGS. The grand difference betwixt this whole tribe, and 
the body of true christians, consists in these two things: christians seek 
the salvation of their souls, and at the same time aim to glorify God, and 
be useful to their neighbours; but hypocrites profess to be religious in order 
to obtain friends, patrons, customers, or applause: those follow the Lord 
habitually, whatever tribulations arise because of the word; but these con- 
ceal or deny their profession, when, instead of gaining by it, they are ex- 
posed to reproach or persecution. 

1 The people of the world, who avow their real character, know how to 
serve Mammon by neglecting and despising God and religion ; and the 
disciples of Christ can serve God by renouncing the world and its friend- 
ship: but time-servers talk as if they had found out the secret of uniting 
these two discordant interests, and thus of ' knowing something more than 
' all the world.' — This is the most prominent feature in this group of por- 
traits, which in other respects exhibits various dissimilarities, and contains 
the faces of persons belonging to every division of professed christians on 
earth. 

H 3 



178 

Chr. Frankly, their :— 

Did ne'er some noted warp in thy fair fame 
Provoke that common scandal? 

By. Never — never; — 

? Tis my good hap, indeed, that veering times 
And varying modes, jut, by a lucky chance, 
With my safe liking, and my sure account: — 
But, if kind Fortune cater my success, 
'Tis more a blessing than my just reproach. 

Chr. — Ev'n as I guess'd : — and, in my honest thought, 
That luckless name, my friend, too well befits 
The wearer. , 

By. Nay, if you touch my character 

But come — no more of this: — Let us still 'bide 

Good company, and, haply, I may shew 
' More wear more worth' 

Chr. But, if you're bent this way, 

Believe me, you must buffet wind and tide, 
And own Religion in contempt and chains, 
And sordid rags, as in her sunny pride, 
And silver slippers. 

By. Hold '.—lord me not thus:— 

My faith and conscience never shall be slav'd 
To thee or thine. 



179 

Chr. Nay, then, if thus you stint 

Our measure of communion, here we part. 

By. My honest maxims, prov'd so profitable, 
'Twere madness to renounce ; nor shall I buy 
Your praise so dear, but wait, (no desp'rate chance) 
Some friendlier comrade. 1 

Scarce had he dropt aloof, 
When, glancing backward, Hopeful spied, afar, 
Following upon the recreant's tardy pace, 
Three stragglers — Save-all, Grasp-all, Money-love:— 
— These, in their nonage, had been schooled to scrape 
Their sordid pelf by scoundrel knav'ry, lies, 
Flatfry, or violence, in Religion 9 s mask : 
And, for their wealthy tutor, they could boast 
Gripe-man, of Love-gain in the frigid north:— 
But now, (their masfry such) they might set-up 
For his accomplished rivals ! — 

Their swift step 
Gain'd on the moody churl, who mark'd and tarried 
Their coming. — With set compliment he received 



1 When hypocrites are charged with their double-dealing and obvious 
crimes, they commonly set it down to the account of persecution, and class 
themselves with that blessed company, of whom " all manner of evil is 
" spoken falsely for the name of Christ." Thus they endeavour to quiet 
their minds, and keep up their credit; deeming themselves at the same 
time very prudent and fortunate, in shifting about so as to avoid the cross, 
and secure their temporal interests. The apostle says concerning these 
men, "from such turn away ;" and the decided manner in which CHRIS- 
TIAN warns BY-ENDS, and renounces his company, though perhaps too 
plain to be either approved or imitated in this courtly candid age, is cer- 
tainly warranted and required in the holy Scriptures. 



180 

His purse-proud friends: — his deference they returned; — 
And thus their trady- fashion'd talk began. 

Money. Whom have we yonder? 

By. An outlandish pair, 

Bent, in their mode, on pilgrimage. 

Money. But why 

(Our drift the same) do they not hold with us? 
We hop'd to have shar'd their company. 1 

By. Trust me, Sir, 

Fve probed them well: and such are their stiff rules, 



1 The persons here introduced, professed themselvesPilgrims, and desired, 
during the sun-shine, to associate with Pilgrims ; provided they would 
allow them to hold the world, love money, and save all, whatever became of 
faith and holiness, of honesty, piety, truth, and charity ! — Covetousness, 
whether it consist in rapaciously trying to get money, to hoard, or to lavish, 
in purchasing consequence, power, or pleasure, or in supporting magnifi- 
cence and the pride of life ; or in parsimony as to the ordinary proportion 
of expenditure ; or in tenacity, when duty requires a man to part with it ; 
is a vice not so easily defined as many others. At the same time it enables 
a man, in various ways, to reward those who can be induced to connive at 
it, and to render it dangerous to oppose him: so that it is not wonderful 
that it geuerally finds more quarter, even among religious persons, than 
other vices, which are not marked with so black a brand in the holy Scrip- 
tures. Too many, professing to be the disciples of Christ, " bless the co- 
" vetous, whom God abhorreth," and speak to them as if they were doubt- 
less true christians; because of their steadiness in the profession of a doc- 
trinal system, and a mode of worship attended by morality ; where money 
is not concerned and scandal might be incurred; and a narrow dispropor- 
tionate contribution from their abundance, to support the interest of a 
society or a party. Thus " the vile person is called liberal, and the churl 
" is said to be bountiful:" and the idolatry of worshipping money has sel- 
dom been execrated equally with that of them, " whose God is their 
*' belly;" unless when so enormous as to become a kind of insanity. — The 
most frugal support of religious worship, with the most disinterested pas- 
tor* and managers, is attended with an expence that the poor of the flock 
are utterly unable to defray: by this opening, HOLD-THE-WORLD and 
Money-love frequently obtain admission, and acquire undue influence 
among Pilgrims. And when the effect of remaiuing selfishness in the 



181 

And fondled fancies, they would rail and scorn 
A saint from heav'n who juts not with their creed, 
And thrust him at their heel. 

Save. Bad hearing, this, 

Yet such we read of— i righteous overmuch,' 1 
Whose narrow souls with zealous rancour gall'd, 
Ban the whole world beside. — But say, my friend, 
On what crude points you parted. 

By. 'Tis their whim, 

Headlong and rash, to drive their desp'rate course 
Through shoals and storms : — / tarry wind and tide. 
At one down-dashing chance they stake their all:^— 
I ponder well the risk, and keep all safe. 
They cling, besotted, to their bigot-faith, 
Though the whole world oppose: — I watch the times; 
And act the saint when godliness is gain. 
They own Religion in contempt and rags: — 
J, when in silver slippers she walks forth, 
'Midst gaudy sunshine and applauding crowds. 



hearts of true believers, insinuating itself under the specious plea of pru- 
dence and necessity, and the ill consequences of specious hypocrites asso- 
ciating- with them, are duly considered; with the censure that must fall on 
a few obscure individuals who attempt to stem the torrent: it will appear 
evident that the rich, and they who are growing rich, have more need of 
self-examination and jealousy over their own hearts than any other persons; 
because they will be less plainly warned and reproved, in public and pri- 
vate, than their inferiors. 

1 This expression of Solomon, which has been variously iuterpreted, 
is the constant plea of those, who neglect the most essential duties of their 
place and station, to avoid the cross, and preserve their worldly interests; 
and thus they " wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction." 



182 

Grasp. Hold you there still, my friend.— Write that 
man fool 
Who never counts the cost. — Let us ' be wise 
4 As serpents;' and make harvest with the sun. — 
The bee lies close in winter, nor bestirs 
Till thrifty pleasure summons her abroad. — 
Heav'n sends us lib'ral change of rain and shine : — 
Let others chuse the drench, be ours the dry. 
— That faith for me, that best secures my weal. 
David's wise Son: — Abraham the friend of God, 
Turn'd godliness to gain : Yea, Job hath said 
' The righteous shall lay up fine gold as dust/ 

Save. True — true. All true. 

Money. We tally to a jot: — 

And he who swerves from scripture and sound sense, 
(Our firm allies,) warps, at a desp'rate risk, 
Nor knows his liberty. 1 



1 This dialogue is not in the least more absurd and selfish, thau the 
discourse of many who attend on the preaching of the gospel, and expect 
to be thought believers. They connect " the wisdom of the serpent" with 
his craft and malice, not with the harmlessness of the dove: if worldly 
lucre be the honey, they imitate the bee, and only attend to religion when 
they can gain by it: they cut and shape their creed and conduct to suit 
the times, and to please those among whom they live-, they determine to 
keep what they have at any rate, and to get more, if it can be done with- 
out open scandal ; never seriously recollecting that they are mere stewards 
of providential advantages, of which a strict account must at last be given: 
and, instead of willingly renouncing or expending them, for the Lord's 
sake, when his providence or commandment requires it, they determine to 
hoard them up for themselves and families, or to spend them in worldly 
indulgencc; and then quote and pervert Scripture to varnish over this base 
idolatry. 



183 

By. Clear as the light.— 

And now, for better wearing- of the way, 
Allow me one brief question. — Here's a priest, 
Or man of trade, — Some golden-baited chance 
Which he must else forego, demands warm zeal 
(At least in shew,) for knotty points of faith 
Till then unmeddled: — He conforms, and thrives: — 
Now ranks that man with honest wits, or knaves? 

Money. I fathom your design, and, to my best 
Will shape an answer. — Here's a worthy priest 
With starveling- benefice. In his longing eye 
Glitters a rich preferment, plump, and large. — ■ 
More zeal, more study; — a new-modelPd creed, 
Enforc'd by strenuous preaching, are the price. — 
— Now to the point. — Since Providence allots 
The lucky chance, here we perceive his ' call:* — > 
A call 'tis his plain duty to obey, 
Asking no question, for his conscience' sake. — 
—Besides — New l gifts and graces' are call'd forth. 
(Else dormant;) and he shines a better man. — 
— Nor less this supple yielding to his flock 
Bespeaks him sweetly bent on winning souls 
By courteous self-denial. — Thus, 'tis' clear, 
To grasp the golden prize by such sure means, 
Leaves him an honest man : Yea, one who weli 
Improves his talents to their best account. 1 — 



1 There is a fund of satirical humour iu the supposed case here verv 
gravely stated: and if the author, in his accurate observations on man'- 
kind, selected his example from among the mercenaries that are the scan- 



184 

— Now view the man of trade. — Toiling he pines 
On scanty means : — Religion would secure 
A thriving market, and a wealthy wife : — 
He tries the scheme, and prospers. — Now, 'tis certain, 
Religion is his praise, side as it may : — 
To win a wealthy wife, and thriving trade, 
Is good and lawful. — Therefore, to get good 
By sorting with the good ; and being good, 
Is a right good, right laudable design. 

With loud gross-flattering applause, they crown'd him 
Their sturdy Champion ; and, boasting their point 
Impregnable, conceitedly resolv'd 
At one bold onset, to avenge their friend, 
And pose the Pilgrims : — Their sure plan thus laid, 
They haiPd them : when, with bloated confidence, 
Grasp-all (deputed for his doughtier zeal 
And cooler daring,) thus his drift essay'd. 

' How now, my honest friends ? — Your deep debate 
' Well have I sounded; and, in hope to adjust 
' Our jarring difference, let me briefly draw 
* Your heed to one plain question. — Ranks that man 



dal of the established church, her most faithful friends will not greatly 
resent this conduct of a dissenter. — The worthy clergyman seeks first, (not 
" the kingdom of God and his righteousness," or the glory ot God in the 
salvation of souls, hut) a rich henefice : to attain this primary object, 
means must he used; the hypocritical pretensions to diligence, zeal, piety, 
with some change of doctrine merely lo please men, seem most likely to 
succeed: and so this most base, prevaricating, selfish, and ungodly plan is 
adopted! In how many thousands of instances has this been an awful 
reality ! How often has it been pleaded for, as prudent and laudable, by 
nun, not only pretending to common honesty and sincerity, but calling 
themselves the ministers and disciples of Jesus Christ ' 



185 

* With honest wits, or knaves, who, to secure 
' Some golden favour he must else forego, 
6 Stands forth flamingly zealous in the cause 
' Of true religion V 

Chr. Tush! — A very babe, 

An idiot, may decide : — for, if 'tis vile 
To feign allegiance to our rightful Lord 
For ' loaves and fishes;'* how much more, to sport 
His pure religion as a trick for trade — 
A stalking-horse to Gain ! — None, surely, none 
But heathens, devils, wizards, hypocrites, 
E'er broach'd the cursed maxims of your creed. — * 
— Hamor and Sechem, heathens of foul fame, 
Intent on Jacob's daughter and estate, 
To circumcision yielded ; and thus made 
That sacred rite their picklock to the prize* 
— Judas the devil, coveted < the bag/ 
And play'd the saint to hold it. — That lost soul, 
Simon the wizard, truck' d for heavVs best Gift, 
To turn that gift to gold.f — The Pharisees 
With hypocrite parade of saintly pride 
O'ergloss'd, mark'd widows' houses for their prey ; 
Long prayers in public audience, their curst lure ; 
And deep damnation their reward! % — Thus vile 
Is he, who shapes religion to the world : 
Such is your craft ; — and thus ye clearly rank 
With heathens, devils, wizards, hypocrites; 
And, (unrepenting,) shall partake their doom ! — 

*, Jotm vi. 20, 27. + Acts viii. 18— 2a. t Luke xx. 46, 47. 



186 

— Thus foil'd, the sturdy factors slunk aside, 
Dumb-stricken and abash'd. 

' Alas'/ said Christian, 
* If thus mere human judgment can appal 
1 These sordid grovellers, how will they abide 
6 The sentence of their God? — If thus they shrink 
' Dumb-smitten, from a vessel of mean clay, 
1 How will they stand, by their dread Judge rebuk'd 
' With fierce-devouring fire V l 

Thus with his friend 
He whird the way, till buoyantly they trod 
With sweet relief the delicate plain of Ease : 
A narrow track, soon travers'd ! — Now they near'd 
A little hill call'd Lucre ; richly vein'd 
With virgin silver ! — Thither, (some to gaze 
And some to delve,) full many a wretched wanderer, 
Lur'd to his bane, the treacherous ground hath gulph'd, 
Or maim'd for life ! 2 — Hard by the Pilgrims' track 



1 God permits Satan to bait his hook with some worldly advantage in 
order to induce men to renounce their profession, expose their hypocrisy, 
or disgrace the gospel: and they, (poor deluded mortals!) call it • an open- 
4 ing of Providence.' The Lord indeed puts the object in their way, if 
they will break his commandments in order to seize upon it: but he does 
this to prove them, and to show whether they most love him or their 
worldly interests; and it is the devil that tempts them to seize the advan- 
tage by sinful compliances or hypocritical pretences, that he may "take 
" them captive at his will." — The answer of Christian to his sordid com- 
panions, though somewhat rough, is so apposite and conclusive, that it is 
sufficient to fortify every honest and attentive mind against all the argu- 
ments, which the whole tribe of time-serving professors of Christianity 
ever did, or ever can, adduce, in support of their ingenious schemes and 
assiduous efforts to reconcile religion with covetousness and the love of the 
world, or to render it subservient to their secular interests. 

> When the church enjoys outward peace and prosperity, (which 



187 

Stood Demas, sordid Guardian of the hill. 
And courteously accosted them— 

< What, hoa!— 
1 Turn hither, honest friends ! and feast your eyes 
* On a rare sight worth seeing/ l 



has hitherto been generally but for a transient season,) they who profess 
the gospel, are peculiarly exposed to the temptation of seeking worldly 
riches and distinctions : and many in such circumstances are more discon- 
certed and disposed to murmur, if excluded from sharing these idolized 
prizes, than christians in general appear to have been under the most cruel 
persecutions; when these objects were placed at such a distance as to lose 
most of their attractive influence. — But the Hill Lucre, with the silver 
mine, is a little out of the Pilgrim's path, even in times of the greatest out- 
waid rest and security: and while those "who will be rich, fall into 
" temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
" drown men in destruction and perdition;" others, forgetting that " the 
" love of money is the root of all evil, having coveted after it, have erred 
" from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 

1 The love of money does not always spring from a desire of covetously 
hoarding it; but often from a vain affectation of gentility. The con- 
nexions that professors form in a day of ease and prosperity, and the 
example of the world around them, and even that of numbers who would 
be thought to love the gospel, seduce them insensibly into a style of living 
that they cannot afford, in order to avoid the imputation of being sordid 
and singular. An increasing family insures additional expence ; and chil- 
dren genteely educated naturally expect to be provided for accordingly. 
Thus debts are contracted and gradually accumulated: it is neither so easy 
uor so reputable to retrench, as it was to launch out: and numerous 
tempters induce men thus circumstanced to turn aside to the Hill LUCRE ; 
that is, to leave the direct path of probity and piety, that they may 
obtain supplies to their urgent and clamorous necessities. — Young persons, 
when they first set out in life, often lay the foundation for innumerable evils, 
by vainly emulating the expensive style of those in the same line of busi- 
ness, or the same rank in the community, who are enabled to support such 
expences, either by extensive dealings or unjustifiable means. Many are 
the bankruptcies which originate from this mistaken conduct : and besides 
this, it is often found, that fair profits are inadequate to uphold the ap- 
pearance which was at first needlessly assumed ; so that necessity is pleaded 
for engaging in those branches of trade, or seizing on those emoluments, 
which the conduct of worldly people screens from total scandal, but which 
are evidently contrary to the word of God, and the plain rule of exact 
truth and rectitude; and which render their consciences very uneasy. 
But who can bear the mortification of owning himself poorer than he was 
thought to be] Who dares risk the consequences of being suspected to 
be insolvent? — In these ensnaring circumstances, professed christians, if 
not powerfully influenced by religious principles, will be almost sure to 
.embrace DEMAS's invitation, along with BY-ENDS, MONEY- LOVE and 
Save-all ; and if they be not "drowned in destruction and perdition, 



188 

^ H R * What sight so rare 

To tempt us from our way? 

Demas - Here's a rich mine 
Of silver;— sparkling silver :— -Fathom it now:— 
Now, now's your lucky chance :— Seize on it now, 
Or never.— -Full many a merchant, from afar, 
Delves the bright treasure ; and, with little toil, 
An ample store is yours.- 

Hope, aside, to Chr. Let us go see. 

» withm 1 inS t0 . tempta M io, l*S, d a / nar e, and pierce themselves through 
con iid« *Kt1? f ° WS - 1 * theref ° re is incumbent on every one, well to 
t oh rl f I" W t0 COntract debts for superfluou/iDdulgencee, 
»iv nthi ■ 5 by fals ! a PP ear ances of affluence; as it is to defrtud by 

fm^mpShr? 081 ^- 5 an ? that this kiDd of dishinesty makes way fo? 
nn r abl L et ^ m P ta t 10 1 DS to. more disgraceful species of the same crW 
not to speak of its absolute inconsistency with piety and charity. 
f,»^P« n °^L are i inthiSrespec ^ som , uch ex P<**<* as ministers and their 
affl Jin \Z \ J ia V" g "AV* 1 ^? fortune ' the y are situated a ™>°S the 
?n«™^ ♦ J^ nteel s and \y yielding to the temptation, they are°often 
S^ t? * om JW n S their deb ** vvith punctuality : they are induced 
IhPmf i ! T ??°J by . stoo P in S t0 unsuitable methods of extricating 

^X»T m ° U . t „2^ dl ? CU tie V rom r hich strict fru ^ a,it y would h ave pre? 
atlcliwfAfS? ^ la y»ng themselves under obligations to such men as 
are capable of abusing tins purchased superiority : and, above all thev are 

SSE^Lm! J° F, ,aCe V leh ; chi J d T 1 . in s ' tuations and connexion's h*|hly 
unfavourable to the interests of their souls, in order to procure them a 
genteel provision. But if we form ou. judgment on this subject from the 
holy Scripture, we shall not think of rindmg the true minister of Christ 
among the higherelasses of the community, in matters of external appearance 
or indulgence. He will certainly desire to avoid everv thing mean auVl sordid 
and to retrench in every other way rather than exhibit the appearance of 
?n th^. bu . t .vP r ? v,ded i neand his family can maintain a decent simplicity, 
and the credit of punctuality in lnspayments, he will not think of aspiring 
any higher. If in order to do this, he be compelled to exercise consider- 
able seli-den.a \ he will think little of it, while lie looks more to Jesus and 
us Aposttes than to the few of a superior rank who profess the gospel : and 
tould heafford somethinggenteel and fashionable, he would deem it morede- 
sirable to devote a larger portion to pious and charitableuses, than tosquan- 
.Hon.li 1 ? va, . n . affect aUon.-ln proportion as contrary principles are 
S2nf •L mmMt ? r80< an y description, a degree of dependance; incon- 
BlfteDt with unembarrassed faithfulness, must be the consequence: nor 
can we ... all caeej, and without respect of persons, " declare the whole 
< Mtntel ol God, unless we be willing, if required, to be, and to appear 
as, the poor followers of Him who « had not where to lay his head '• 



189 

Chr. Hold! brother, hold! — I know the danger well: 
Myriads on myriads, (horrible to think!) 
Have perish'd there ; while those who 'scape life-whole, 
Clogg'd with the shining cumbrance, feebly drag 
Their pilgrimage in the hindmost rank. — 

Chr. to Demas. But tell us, 

Lurks there no danger? 

Demas. None.— None, if ye venture down 
With common heed. 

Chr. aside, to Hope. Mark — how that villain brow 
blushes the lie !— 
Let us not warp one step. 1 

Hope. I warrant you 

When yon clod and his company shall hear 
The tempting call, t hei/M need no second bait. 

Chr. No doubt; and, haply, (fearful thought!) there 
perish.— 

Demas. What! pass me by? 

Chr. Demas, I know thee well: 



and 



1 Inexperienced believers are very liable to be seduced by the example 
and persuasions of hypocrites; and to deviate from the direct path in ordei 
to obtain worldly advantages, by means that many deem fair and honour, 
able. In this case the counsel and warnings of an experienced companion 
are of the greatest moment. 



190 

Thou art an enemy to this good way :— 
For thine own base revolt thou stand'st condemn'd ;* 
And wouldst thou tempt us to partake, thus warn'd, 
Thy guilt and punishment? 

Demas. Believe me, friends, 

I am a brother pilgrim ; and, e v'n now, 
(Tarry a moment,) will attend you freely. 

Chr. What is thy name? — Have I not rightly call'dthee? 

Demas. My name is Dem as, son of Abraham. 

Chr. Say rather 

Of Judas, the vile progeny of that thief 
Accurs'd Gehazi. — Thy true sire was hang'd 
For a foul treason :f and thy dev'lish pranks 
When we obtain full audience of the King, 
Shall all be laid before him. 

Scarce the word 
Had pass'd, when, to the hill, (instinctive drawn,) 
The sordid loiterers came; and, at one beck, 
Pressed eagerly to the snare; — nor from that hour 
Were ever seen again ! 

The friendly pair 
Now hasted on; when, lo! a mouldering heap, 

• 2 Tim. iv. 10. + 2 Kings v. 20—27. Matt. xxvi. 14, 15. xxvii. 3—5. 



191 

Like some strange monument uncouthly wrought, 

Fix'd their astonished gaze. At nearer view 

The crumbling semblance of a woman's form 

It bore ; moulded, (as seem'd) in pillar'd salt ! 

And on the brow in rugged characters, 

A brief memorial frown'd. — They paus'd, and spelt 

This warning charge :— ' Remember thou Lot's Wife! 9 * 

Deeply they mus'd on her terrific doom, 
And laid it thus to heart. — 

C H R . O, mournful sight ! 

How opportunely granted, to confirm 
Our provident rescue from yon deep decoy ! 
How needful, to reprove each wandering wish! — 
Had we, (too prone) obey'd yon curst deceiver, 
We too, perchance, on that same mount had stood 
A kindred monument of wrathful heav'n ! 

Hope. Alas! my brother; — the detested wish 
To tamper with our foe, was mine alone : 
Nor less than this frail woman's is my crime: — 
She cast one lingering look on treasures left ; 
J coveted to gaze on wealth deny'd : 
Yet here J stand, (all glory to my Lord,) 
A monument of grace! 

Chr. Let us from henc* 

• Geu. xix. 28. 



192 

Be taught to shun all danger : — She had escaped 
From naming Sodom; yet her after-crime 
Drew down this awful judgment. 

Hope. Nor less the fate 

Of impious Korah and his rebel band, 
Speaks an eternal warning:* Yet, how vain! — 
In very hearing of these dire alarms, 
In very sight of yonder solemn pile, 
Delves Demas and his company! 1 

Chr. Most strange ! 

And fitly may they vie with him who thieves 
Beneath the threat'ning gibbet: — But the hot plague 
Of Sodom waits them;t and their canker'd store 
Shall witness to their guilt, and perish with them. 

Thus musing, they approached the shady verge 
Of a pure stream, writ in the Pilgrim's chart 
4 River of God; and ' Of the Water of Life.'X 
On either side, wav'd in perennial green 



• Numb. xxvi. 9, 10. + Gen. xiii. 10—13. % Psa. lxv. 9. 

Ezek. xlvii. Rev. xxii. 1. 

1 It is indeed most wonderful, that men, who profess to believe the Bi- 
ble, can so confidently attemptto reconcile the love of the world with the 
service of God; when the instructions, warning's, and examples in the sa- 
cred volume, which shew the fatal consequences of such endeavours, are 
so numerous, express, and affecting ! If Lot's wife, who merely hankered 
after the possessions she had left behind in SODOM, and looked back with 
a design of returning, was made a monument of the Lord's vengeance, and 
B warning to all future ages; what will be the doom of those professed 
christians who habitually prefer worldly gain, or the vain pomp and in- 
dulgence that may be purchased with it, to the honour of Christ, and 
obedience to his luosl reasonable commandments' 



193 

The trees of Paradise: Perennial fruits 

Of vital savour, pended from each bough 

In full nectareous prime : The leaves were balm : 

While the smooth sod beneath, spontaneous teem'd 

With lilied fragrance. — Here their blissful path 

Winded : In silent ecstasy they gaze, 

And drink new vigour at the living flood, 

And feast unsparing on the gen'rous fruits, 

And balmy foliage. Then, to safe repose 

They lay them down ; while soft oblivion steals 

All sense of past affliction, toil and care.* 

—Thus, (O too brief!) three happy nights and days 

They linger'd: and full many a grateful song 

To their Good Shepherd rais'd, who led them forth 

To those fair pastures, and that crystal stream. 1 

Now, with the fourth fair dawn, alert they rose, 
And hasted to depart. Sweet solace cheer'd 

* Psa. xxiii. Isa. xiv. 30. 

1 The Holy Spirit, the inexhaustible source of life, light, holiness, and 
joy, is represented by "the River of GOD;" even that River of he 
" water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and 
" of the Lamb."* All believers partake of his sacred influences, which 
prepare the soul for heavenly felicity, and are earnests and pledges of it: 
but there are seasons when he communicates his holy comforts in larger 
measure; when the christian sees such gloiy in the salvation of Christ; 
so ciearly ascertains his interest in it; and realizes his obligations and 
privileges, with such lively exercises of adoring love, gratitude, and joy, 
that he is raised above his darkness and difficulties; enjoys sweet commu- 
nion with God ; forgets, for the moment, the pain of former conflicts and 
the prospect of future trials; finds his in-bred corruptions reduced to a 
state of subjection, and his maladies healed by lively exercises of faith in 
the divine Saviour; and anticipates with unspeakable delight the glory 
that shall be revealed. Then, communion with humble believers, (the 
lilies that adorn the banks of the river,) is very pleasant; and the soul's 
rest and satisfaction in God and his service are safe, and his calm confidence 
is well grounded ; being widely different from every species of cawial 
security. 

• Rev. xxii. 1. 



194 

Their outset, till, anon, their destin'd way 

Warp'd from the stream, and, rough with rugged clods, 

Chaf'd each slow footstep, and their souls cast down 

Sudden, to deep despondence.* Thus they toil'd, 

' Faint, yet pursuing/ till meridian day : 

When, to the left, a verdant mead they spied, 

That seem'd a pleasant By-path following close 

The strict highway. — Here, Hopeful, warned so late, 

Falter'd awhile; till Christian, self-secure, 

Leap'd the low fence, and fearless led the clue. 1 

— Joyous they bounded o'er the level green, 

And soon a portly stranger within call, 

(Vain-confidence his name,) confirmed their choice 

Of that smooth track. Him for their steady guide 

They follow'd ; till, abrupt, the night-gloom fell 

From grey to pitchy dark; and left them, lorn, 

Alarm'd, bewildered, friendless, all alone 

To grope their desperate course. — Aloud they call'd 

• Numb. xxi. 4. 

1 Believers, even when in the path of duty, walking by faith, and sup- 
ported by the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, may be abridged of 
those holy consolations which they have experienced : and Satan may 
have a special advantage in tempting them to discontent aud distrust. 
The path of duty being rough, a by-path is discovered which seems to 
lead the same way: — a deviation from the exact strictness of the commands 
of God, which mark out the path of holiness and safety, may sometimes 
he plausihle,and circumstances may seem to invite to it. Men imagine some 
providential interposition, giving ease to the weary; and they think that 
the precept may be interpreted with some latitude, that prudence should 
he exercised, and that sciupulousness about little things is a mark of lega- 
lity or superstition. Thus by " leaning to their own understandings" and 
*' trusting in their own hearts," instead of asking counsel of the Lord, 
they hearken to the tempter. Nor is it uncommon for christians of deeper 
experience, and more established reputation, to mislead their juniors, by 
turning aside from the direct line of obedience. For the Lord leaves them 
to themselves, to repress their self-confidence, and keep them entirely de- 
pendent on him ; and thus teaches young couverts to follow no man further 
than he follows Christ. 



195 

On their false guide; when, to their startled ear, 
A sudden plunge, and one expiring groan 
As from some neighboring pitfall, gave sure sign 
Of his tremendous doom I* 1 — That instant, roar'd 
A threat'ning thunder-peal : — The night-blast rav'd : 
Fierce fire, and hail, and torrent flood, drove down: — 
Till, with one hideous crash, the total storm 
Wreak'd its full wrath on each defenceless head ; 
While swift around them rose a gather'd sea 
Of whelming waters! 2 

' Wretch, wretch that I am!' 
Groan'd Hopeful, ' Oh that I had kept the way !' 

' Alas!' said Christian, tremulous, in tone 
Of half-chok'd utterance ; ' What mere human skill — 
4 What foresight could have warn'd— V 

Hope. 'Twas my deep dread 

To venture, when that cautious word I dropt : — 
I had spoke plainer, but thy riper age, 
And tried experience, sway'd me. 

* Isa. ix. 10. 

1 This circumstance may represent the salutary effects, whicli are 
sometimes produced on offending believers, by the awful death of some 
vain-glorious hypocrite, to whom they have given too much attention. — 
The Lord, however, will in one way or other deliver his servants from the 
temporary prevalence of vain- confidence ; while presumptuous transgres- 
sors perish in the pit of darkness and despair. 

- The holy law condemns every transgression : when the christian, there- 
fore, has fallen into wilful sin, he is often led to fear that his faith is dead, 
that he is still under the law, and that his person as well as his conduct 
is liable to its righteous condemnation. Thus he is brought back agiin, 
e5 it were, to the tempest, thunder, and lightning of mount SltfAI. 

I 2 



196 

Chr. O, my brother, 

Be not offended : — Deeply sham'd, I own 
My well-meant error, and with heart-felt grief 
Beseech thy frank forgiveness. 

Hope. Be comforted — 

Frail as thyself, I readily forgive, 
Nor doubt this peril shall be ruTd for good. 

Chr. Thy gen'rous friendship cheers me.— But, why thus 
Brave we this horrible tempest? — Let us seek 
Our long-deserted way. 

Hope. And let me lead. 

Chr. Nay, brother ;-^mine the fault, be mine the task 
(Though death betide,) to pilot our return. 

Hope. Not so : lest that your troubled mind again 
Mislead your sounder judgment. 1 — 

Thus resolv'd, 
He pass'd before : when, 'midst the* abated storm 
A voice divine thus cheer'd them. — * Let thine heart 
'Be stedfast, till thou reach the long-lost way J* 



- Jer. xxxi. 21. 

1 This dialogue is very natural and instructive, and exhibits that spirit 
of mutual tenderness. Forbearance, and sympathy, which becomes chris- 
tians in such perplexing circumstances. " They, who have misled others 
into sin, should nut only ask forgiveness of God, but of thein also; and 
they who have been drawn aside by the example and persuasion of their 
brethren, should be careful not to upbraid or discourage them, when they 
become sensible of theil fault. 



197 

— Hush'd were the raging skies ; but the swoln tide 

Still rose amain, in sullen wave on wave ; 

And many a plunge they shar'd, that menaced them 

With the grim terrors of a wat'ry tomb ! ' 

— Thus deeply wading, they at length descried 

Amid the weltering waste, a gentle mound, 

Safe from the rolling flood. Thither they elimb'd, 

And on the well-skreen'd summit sat them down 

To wakeful rest, waiting the dawn ; but sleep 

All- potent, ev'ry languid sense beguil'd, 

And held them, listless, till return of day. 

Hard by, within the' enclosure where they slept, 
Stands Doubting-Castle; strong-hold of Despair, 
— That monster-fiend on his accustomed range 
Now prowling forth, spied them ; and, with a peal 
Of thundering rage, their heavy slumbers broke : — 
Then, sternly rav*d, i What maddens ye, to dare 
' This lawless trespass on my fenc'd domain V 



1 It might be thought, that an experienced believer, when convinced ot 
any sin, would find little difficulty in returning to his duty, and recovering 
his peace. But a deliberate transgression, however trivial it might seem 
at the moment, appears upon the retrospect to bean act of most ungrateful 
and aggravated rebellion ; so that it brings such darkness upon the soul, 
and guilt on the conscience, as frequently causes a man to suspect that all 
his religion has been a delusion. And, when he would attempt to set out 
anew, it occurs to him, that if all his past endeavours and expectations, for 
many years, have been frustrated, he can entertain little hope of better 
success hereafter: as he knows not how to use other means, or greater 
earnestness, than he has already employed as he fears to no purpose. Nor 
will Satan ever fail, in these circumstances, to pour in such suggestions, 
as may overwhelm the soul with an apprehension that the case, is hopeless, 
and God inexorable. The believer will not, indeed, be prevailed upon by 
these discouragements wholly to neglect all attempts to recover his ground: 
but he often resembles a man who is groping in the dark and cannot fiad 
his way ; or who is passing through a deepand rapid stream, and struggling 
hard to keep his head above water. 



198 

Chr. Unhappy Pilgrims from afar, we pass'd 
Unwitting through these grounds, and lost our way. 

Despair. Villains! no more: — Your very plea pro- 
claims 
The trespass, and provokes my fell revenge. 

So saying, with one giant grasp he seiz'd 

The shuddering captives; and, at headlong speed, 
Drove them before. Thus through a woody maze 
Of deathlike gloom, the Castle's dreary fence, 
He drove them ; till, the huge portcullis pass'd, 
Down rush'd the ponderous iron, with the din 
Of deaf'ning thunder- wrack, and earthquake shock : 
Nor paus'd the' affrighted victims, till, deep thrust 
Within a gleamless dungeon, down they sunk 
'Mid the stern terrors of their hopeless fate! ! 

1 Believers, who have brought themselves, by transgression, into great 
terror and anguish of conscience, often endeavour to quiet themselves by 
general notions of the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and the secu- 
rity of the new covenant; and the storm in their consciences subsiding, 
they find a little shelter, and wait for a more convenient opportunity of 
recovering their spiritual life and vigour. But growing more and more 
heartless in religion, and insensible in a most perilous situation, they are 
led habitually to infer that they are hypocrites; that the encouragements 
of Scripture belong not to them; that prayer itself will be of no use to 
them : and, when they are at length brought to reflection, DESPAIR, like 
a tremendous giant, will seize on them, and for a season they will find it 
impossible to rise superior to prevailing gloomy doubts, or to obtain the 
least comfortable hope of deliverance, or encouragement to use the proper 
means of seeking it.— The believer may be brought by wilful sin to such 
a condition that, to his own apprehension, destruction is inevitable. — 
Even a true christian may sink so low as to have no light or comfort from 
the Scriptures or the Holy Spirit ; nothing to sustain his almost expiring 
faith ana hope ; no help or pity from his brethren, but severe censures or 
more painful suspicions; the horrors of an accusing conscience, the dread 
of God as an enemy, connected with sharp and multiplied corrections in 
his outward circumstances; and all this as the price or ease or indulgence 
obtained by some wilful transgression ! Now who that really believes this, 
will take encouragement to sin from the doctrine of final perseverance? 
"Would a man, for a trivial gain, leap down a nrecipice, even if he could 
be sure that he should escape with his life? No, the dread of the anguish 
of broken bones, and of being made a cripple to the eud of his days, would 
effectually secure him from such a madness. 



THE 

PILGRIMS PROGRESS. 

BOOK VIII. 



Thus four dark days of anguish and remorse, 
Unvisited, unfed, the Pilgrims moan'd. 
— Meanwhile the ruthless Tyrant, with his wife, 
Meek-mouthing Diffidence, (an artful fury,) 
Marked them for merciless vengeance. — First, he dealt 
Fierce blows on blows unsparing, till he left 
His wretched thralls half dead.— Next morn, (advis'd 
By his grim Consort,) he, with savage vaunt 
Of stern compassion, urg'd them to resolve 
Precipitate self-murder ! — The base thought 
They spurn'd abhorrent ; and, with dolorous cries, 
Crav'd their full freedom, — Rous'd to frenzied rage, 
Forward he rush*d, and, at one deadly dint 
Had fellM them, breathless ; but a sudden cramp 
Palsied his arm, and baffled his dire aim. — 



200 

As when the gaunt Hyena, couchM for blood% 
Stung by a venom'd shaft his victim yields 
With many a frantic yell ; so rav'd the Fiend, 
As from his destin'd prey writhing he reeled 
In helpless anguish. — Respite thus obtain'd, 
Small joy was theirs: the momentary dread 
Of surer vengeance, or a lingering fate 
In that foul den, still haunted them, and wrung 
From Christian this curst thought, so late abhorred. 

' Brother, our desp'rate fate from day to day 
' More hopeless lours ! In misery's extreme 
' Slow pining, my desponding soul would count 

* Ev'n strangling a blest refuge from this thrall :* 

* Say — shall the Tyrant's tender be our choice V 1 

' Our hideous doom/ sigh'd Hopeful, ' ne'er revers'd, 

* Death were our friend indeed : but Heav Vs high Law 
' Proclaims " Do thou no murder" Shall we, then, 

i Wreak on ourselves that execrable deed 

4 We dare not on another? — Who thus ends 

' His fellow, murders but the mortal part: 

i Who slays himself, destroys both body and soul ! 

* And, for thy hope of ease in the still grave, 

• Job vii. 15. 

1 Desponding fears, when they so prevail as to keep men from prayer, 
make way for temptations to suicide, as the only relief from misery : but 
when there is any true faith, however it may seem wholly ont of exercise, 
the temptatiou will be eventually overcome, provided actual insanity do 
not intervene ; and this is a very uncommon case among religious people, 
whatever slanders their enemies may circulate, in order to prejudice men's 
minds against the truth. 



201 

' Hast thou forgot the hell beyond, that waits 
' The victim of self-murder ? — Think again ; 

* All law is not our Tyrants: Many a drear 

4 And desperate captive hath escaped these walls ; 

i And cannot He who made the world, ordain 

' The monster's speedy death ? or, that he miss 

' To bar our hideous hold? or, seiz'd again 

' With palsied impotence, torment no more, 

4 Or fall our easy prey? — Then cheer thee, brother ! 

* Patience and hope are ours; the rest is Heav'n's.' 

Such kindly counsel buoy'd awhile — scarce buoy'd 
His hapless friend, half wrecked : But the wild wave 
Still whelm'd him, and again the felon deed, 
Familiar to his thought, poignant he pressed ; 
Whilst Hopeful thus his steady plea renewed. 

' My brother, must I mourn all solace vain ? 

* Where is thy wonted valour? — That fierce fiend, 

* Apollyon, could not crush thee, nor the host 

* Of terrors that beset thy e v'ry step 

' Through Death's dark Vale; — Nor could the cage, 

' the chain, 
' With Faithful shar'd, nor ev'n his fiery doom, 
' Daunt thy firm soul; and art thou now all fear ? — 
6 Am not / weak, yea, feebler far than thou ? 

* Deals not the Tyrant equal dole to me, 

' Famine, and wounds, and darkness ? — Courage, then, 
4 My honoured brother! Let us play the man; 
i 3 



202 

' Nor scandalize our Cause by one base deed/ * 

Scarce had he spoke, when the gigantic stride 
Of their dread foe appall'd them. — Furious he seiz'd 
And dragged them forth without the Castle-wall, 
''Mid skulls, and bones, and skeletons half bare, 
(Once warm with hopeful enterprise and zeal,) 
High piFd or scattered round. — * Behold!' exclaim'd 
The' exulting Ravager ; — f See my fell revenge 
* For lawless trespass ! — Pilgrims, once, were these : 
' And, ere to-morrow's dawn, I swear to hurl 
' Your felon bones with theirs. — Back to your den V — 
— Instant his ponderous mace followed the word, 
And drove them, staggering, down to their deep hold. 
There, yielding all for lost, abject they sunk, 
In speechless horror ; till the midnight toll 
Of their last hour, rous'd them to passionate prayer. 2 



1 HoPEJUL's arguments against self-murder are conclusive : doubtless 
men in general venture on that awful crime, either disbelieving or foi- 
getting the doctrine of Scripture concerning a future and eternal state of 
retribution. — It is greatly to be wished, that all serious persons would 
avoid speaking of self-murderers, as having put an end to their extiscnce , 
which certainly tends to mislead the mind of the tempted, into very erro- 
neous apprehensions on this most important subject.— -This discourse 
aptly represents the fluctuation of men's minds under great despondency ; 
their struggles against despair, with purposes at some future opportunity 
to seek deliverance : their present irresolution ; and the way in which 
feeble hopes, and strong fears of future wrath, keep them from yielding tr> 
the snggestions of the enemy.— rSerious recollection of past conflicts, dan- 
gers, and deliverances, is peculiarly useful to encourage confidence in the 
power and mercy of God, and patient waiting for him in the most difficult 
and perilous situations : and conference with our brethren, even if they 
too are under similar trials, is a very important mean of resisting the devil, 
when he would tempt us to renounce our hope, and have recourse to des- 
perate measures. 

2 Nothing will be effectual for the recovering of the fallen, till they 
begin to pray with fervency, importunity, and perseverance. Yet such is 
our nature and situation, that in proportion as we have special need for 
earnestness in these devout exercises, our hearts are averse to them. Tht 



203 

— As thus they wrestled, Christian into strains 
Ecstatic brake : and, from his bosom pluck' d 
The key of Promise, 'midst his cares and woes 
Unthought till that bright moment. 

' Brother, we live ! — 
6 This key, heavVs special boon, till now forgot, 
4 Is our sure ransom V — 

Wing'd with hope, they sprang 
To the blest proof :— The jealous bolt gave back ! — 
Next, the huge bar that wards the Castle-court, 
Sullen recoiTd. — Thence, to the last grim keep 
They rush'd. — Each stubborn spring won with slow toil, 
Harsh on red-rusted hinges creak'd and groan'd 
The ponderous portal. — Instant from his lair 
Sprang the rous'd Monster: but each treacherous limb 
Smit with a rigid palsy, mock'd his rage; 
Whilst the blithe Pilgrims found them once again 
Safe on the King's highway ! — Spontaneous praise 
Burst from each heart. — With gen'rous zeal they reared 
Beside the fatal fence a warning stone, 
And hasted, joyous, on their blest career. 1 



child while obedient, anticipates the pleasure of meeting his affectionate 
parent ; but, when conscious of haviDg offended, he from shame, fear, and 
pride, hides himself and keeps at a distance. But when stoutness of spirit 
is broken down, and a contrite believing frame of mind succeeds; the 
offender begins to cry fervently to God for mercy, with humiliating con- 
fessions, renewed application to the blood of Christ, and perseverance 
amidst delays and discouragements: and then it will not be very long ere 
he obtain complete deliverance. 

1 The promise of eternal life, to every one without exception who be- 
lieveth in Christ, is especially intended by the Key; but without excluding 



204 

The rugged plain soon pass'd; 'mid the clear sky 
(O blest refreshment to the Pilgrims' eye !) 
Rose the Delectable Mountains. — In the sheen 
Of early day, majestic and serene, 
They tower'd around, in many a beauteous change, 
As the mist wander'd up their dewy range. 
— The Pilgrim pair now climb'd a gentle slope 
That gave to view the landscape's glorious scope. 
— In morning freshness, on their longing sight, 
Vineyards, and founts, and rivers of delight, 
Burst rapfrously. Their famine here they fed, 
And, where the fount its flowing crystal shed, 
Bath'd their faint limbs: Then, 'mid these lovely scenes, 
The Land once pictured by the Sister-queens 
In lively vision,* Christian calPd to mind: — 
For, lo ! in past'ral innocence reclin'd, 
Blithe Shepherds tending their accustom'd charge 
(Softly recumbent, or dispers'd at large,) 
Saluted them. — Won by their looks of love 
Which aught of cold misdeeming would reprove, 

• [See page 92.] 

any other of the "exceeding great and precious promises" of the gospel. 
The believer, being enabled to recollect such as peculiarly suit his c.ise, 
and, conscious of cordially desiriug the promised blessings, ha§ the Key 
in his bosom, which will open any lock in DOUBTING-CASTLE : and 
while he pleads the promises in faith, depending on the merits and atone- 
ment of Emmanuel, as "coming to God through him;" he gradually 
resumes his confidence, and begins to wonder at his past despondency. 
Yet remains of unbelief, recollection of his aggravated guilt, and fear lest 
he should presume, often render it difficult tor him entirely to dismiss 
discouraging doubts. — But let it especially be noted that the faith, which 
delivered the Pilgrims from Giant Despair's castle, induced then: 
without delay to return to the highway of obedience, and to walk in it 
with more circumspection than before, no more complaining of its rough- 
ness ; and to devise every method of cautiouing others against passing 
over iuto By-path meadow. 



205 

The Pilgrim friends all diffidence represt; 
When Christian, (on his patriarch staff at rest, 
Way-wearied,) thus the Princely Chief address'd. — 

' Hail happy Shepherd! — Say, whose bowers of ease, 
' Whose past'ral mountains, and whose nocks, are these V 

Shep. This blissful region is Emmanuel's Land, 
Whence the expanded vision may command 
His Zion; and these flocks are all his own: — 
For them he stoop'd from his celestial throne ; — 
For them he gave his life — all, all of grace ! l 

Chr. But how far onward is our resting place ? 
The City of our King? 

Shep. A reach too wide, 

1 When offending christians are brought to deep repentance, renewed 
exercises of lively faith, and willing obedience in those self-denying du- 
ties which they had declined, the Lord "restores them to the joy of his 
" salvation," and their former comforts become more abundant and per- 
manent. — The Delectable Mountains seem intended to represent 
those calm seasons of peace and comfort, which consistent believers often 
experience in their old age. They have survived, in a considerable de- 
gree, the vehemence of their youthful passions, and have honourably 
performed their parts in the active scenes of life : they are established, by 
long experience, in the simplicity of dependence and obedience : the Lord 
graciously exempts them from peculiar trials and temptations: their ac- 
quaintance with the ministers and people of God is enlarged, and they 
possess the respect, confidence, and affection, of many esteemed frieRds: 
they have much leisure for communion with God, and the immediate 
exercises of religion : and they often converse with their brethren on the 
loving.kindness and truth of the Lord till " their hearts burn within them/' 
Thus * leaning on their staff,' depending on the promises and perfections 
of God in assured faith and hope, they anticipate their future happiness 
" with joy unspeakable and full of glory." — The Shepherds and their flocks 
denote the more extensive acquaintance of many aged Christians with the 
ministers and churches of Christ, the CHIEF SHEPHERD, who " laid down 
'• his life for the sheep." — This is ' EMMANUEL'S land;' for, being detached 
from worldly engagements and connexions, they now spend their time 
almost wholly among the subjects of the Prince of Peace, and as in his 
more especial presence. 



206 

Except for those Emmanuel deigns to guide. 1 

Chr. Is our way safe or dang'rous? 

Shep. Safe for all 

Whom Heav'n preserves ; but bold transgressors fall, 
To everlasting ruin.* 

Chr. May we, awhile, 

In this delightful land our cares beguile? 

Shep. Freely : — Our Lord commands us to refresh 
Our weary, way-worn brethren in the flesh :f — 
Yours are the treasures of this goodly land. 

This said, four smiling Shepherds, hand in hand, 
(Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, 2 ) 
Led to their rural tent and liberal cheer 



■ Hos. xiv. 9. + Heb. xiii. I, 2. 

1 The certainty of the final perseverance of true believers is continually 
exemplified in their actually persevering, notwithstanding all imaginable 
inward and outward impediments. Many hold the doctrine who are not 
interested in the privilege; and whoseconduct eventually proves, that they 
had " no root in themselves:"' but the true believer acquires new strength 
by his very trials and mistakes, and possesses increasing evidence that the 
new covenant is made with him; for, " having obtained help of God," he 
still " continues in Christ's word," and abides in him: and, while tempta- 
tions, persecutions, heresies, and afflictions, which stumble transgressors 
and detect hypocrites, tend to quicken, humble, sanctify, and establish 
him; he may assuredly conclude, that he shall be 4< kept by the power 
" of God, through faith, unto salvation." 

2 These names imply much useful instruction, both to Ministers and 
private Christians, by shewing them what endowments are most essential 
to the pastoral office. — The attention given to preachers should not be pro- 
portioned to the degree of their confidence, vehemence, accomplishments, 
graceful delivery, eloquence, or politeness; but to that of their knowledge 

* 1 John ii. 19. 



207 

The grateful Strangers. Here, at blissful ease, 
Fann'd by the ever-fragrant mountain-breeze, 
They wlnTd with pilgrim tales the closing day, 
Till, ev'ning fading into sunless grey, 
Their languid limbs, so long with toil oppressed, 
And dungeon-thrall, they flung to welcome rest. 

Now, 'midst the spotless heav'n the radiant sun 
Flam'd high: The Guardian Shepherds gently rons'd 
Each slumbering guest, and tended them abroad 
To taste the mountain-breeze, and fill their gaze 
With the fair prospect. Thus at large they range, 
While many a sacred hymn from past'ral pipe, 
And sweet accordant voices, floats around, 
Melodious breathing their Emmanuel's praise. 

Now, through a woody wild, maze within maze, 
They rove, till, suddenly, a rocky steep 
Caird Error, forced the Pilgrims to a pause. 

Shudd'ring they cast a dizzy glance below, 

And, pale with horror, mark'd the scatter'd wreck 
Of many a mangled victim I 



of the Scriptures, and of every subject that relates to the glory of God and 
the salvation of souls; their experience of the power of divine truth in their 
own hearts, of the faithfulness of God to his promises, of the believer'* 
conflicts, difficulties, and dangers, and of the manifold devices of Satan to 
mislead, deceive, pervert, defile, or harass the souls of men; their watch- 
fulness over the people, as their constant business and unremitted care, to 
"caution them against every snare, and to recover them out of every error 
into which they may be betrayed; and their sincerity, as manifested by a 
disinterested, unambitious, unassuming, patient, and affectionate conduct, 
by proving that they deem themselves bound to practise their own instruc- 
tions, and by an uniform attempt to convince the people, that they "seek 
** not their' s but them,. 1 ' 



20S 

* O, fearful sight!' 
Said Christian, ' Who are these?' 

She p. Have ye not heard 

Of those presumptuous Infidels who, boasting 
Hymeneus and Philetus* for their guide, 
Sneer at the Resurrection ? — These are they : — 
From this dread brink, in confidence of pride 
Dash'd headlong, there, unburied, they remain 
An everlasting warning! 1 

From that scene 

* 2 Tim. ii. 17, 18. 

1 Human nature always verges to extremes. In former times the least 
deviation from an established system of doctrine was reprobated as a 
damnable heresy ; and some persons, even at this day, tacitly laying claim 
to infallibility, deem every variation from their standard an error, and 
every error inconsistent with true piety. But the absurdity and bad 
effects of this bigotry having been discovered and exposed, it has become 
fur more common to consider indifference about theological truth, as es- 
sential to candour and liberality of sentiment; and to vilify, as narrow- 
minded bigots, all who " contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to 
"the saints," however averse they may be to persecution, or disposed to 
benevolence towards those who differ from them. Thus the great end for 
which prophets and apostles were inspired, maityrs shed their blood, and 
the Son of God himself came into the world and died on the cross, is pro- 
nounced a matter of no moment! revelation is virtually rejected ! (for we 
may know, without the bible, that men ought to be sober, honest, sin- 
cere, and benevolent;) and those principles, from which all genuine 
holiness must arise, are contemned as enthusiasm and foolishness ! Some 
errors may indeed consist with true faith : (for who will say that he is in 
nothing mistaken?) yet no error is absolutely harmless; all must, in one 
way or other, originate in a wrong state of mind or a faulty conduct, and 
proportionably counteract the design of revelation : and some are abso- 
lutely inconsistent with repentance, humility, faith, hope, love, spiritual 
worship, and holy obedience, and consequently iucompatible with a state 
of acceptance and salvation. These are represented by ' the hill ERROR,' 
and a scriptural specimen is adduced. Professed christians fall into delu- 
sions by indulging self-conceit, vain-glory, and curiosity ; by "leaning 
" to their own understandings," and " intruding into the things they have 
M not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind," and by speculating on 
subjects which are too deep for them. Thus many fall into destructive 
heresies, do immense mischief, and become awful examples for the warn- 
ing of their contemporaries aud successors. 






209 

Of havoc soon they turn'd; and slowly climb' d 
The Mount of Caution. — Here the Pilgrims mus'd 
On a blind group, pent in a gloomy vale, 
And stumbling oft 'midst tombs and yawning graves! 
! 
' Alas'/ said Christian, ' What dread crime is theirs?' 

Shep. Did ye not mark beside the King's highway 
A shallow fence ? 

Chr. The same. 

Shep. Straight from that bound, 

A narrow track, smoothly seductive, leads 
To Doubting-castle-— stronghold of Despair. 
Yon sightless victims from their rugged path 
Of pilgrimage, by that soft lure beguil'd, 
The Monster seiz'd ; and, dooming them awhile 
To a deep dungeon, quench'd their sight; then drove 
The wretched captives, hopeless of escape, 
To grope among those tombs ! — See there fulfill'd 
This awful word of Truth: — - Whoso forsakes 
4 The path of Sacred Wisdom, shall remain 
' Amid the congregation of the dead.'* 

— — The conscious Pilgrims on each other gianc'd, 
And dropt a silent tear. 1 

• Prov. xxi, 16. 

1 Many professors turning asidefrom the line of conscientious obedience 
to escape difficulties, experience great distress of mind ; which not being 



210 

Now, down the Mount, 
Heedful they bent; and, at the hollow base, 
Paus'd near a sooty cavern, rudely seal'd 
With a huge crag. — The Shepherd-guides unbarr'd 
The hideous gulph; when, lo! forth rush'd upon 
Each fear-bewilder'd sense, black-volum'd smoke ! 
The stifling blast of sulphur! the deep roar 
Of secret fires! the shrieks, the frantic yells, 
Of torment and despair! — 

1 This horrid gulph' 
Said the chief Shepherd, ' is the sure by-way 
4 To Hell! — Here, hypocrites who with Esau scorn 
4 Their heav'nly birthright ; or their Master sell 
1 Like Judas; or the sacred truth blaspheme 

* Like impious Alexander; or belie, 

* Like Ananias and his perjur'd wife, 

4 Their sacred vow ; sink, and are lost for ever V 

Hope. Yet these, perchance, ev'n these, wore in their 
day 



able to endure, they desperately endeavour to disbelieve or pervert all 
they have learned concerning religion : thus they are blinded by Satan 
through their despondings, and are given over to strong delusions, as a just 
punishment for their wickedness.* Notwithstanding their profession, and 
the hopes long formed of them, they return to the company of those who 
are dead in sin, and buried in worldly pursuits: differing from them 
merely in a few speculative notions, and being far more hopeless than 
they. This is not only the case with many, at the first beginning of a re- 
ligious profession, as of Pliant at the Slough of Despond, but with 
some at every stage of the journey. Such examples may very properly 
demand our tears of godly sorrow and fervent gratitude; when we reflect 
on our own misconduct, and the loving-kindness of the Lord, who hath 
made us to differ, by first implanting, and then preserving, faith in our 
hearts. 

* 2 Thess. ii. 11—13. 



211 

The saintly-seeming badge of pilgrimage. 

Shep. Ev'n so : — and held it long. 

Hope. How far maintained 

Those wretched castaways the heav'nly road ? 

Shep. Some, ev'n to these blest Mountains ! 

Hope to Chr. O, what need 

Is ours to supplicate the Strong for strength ! 

Shep. Yea; — and be sure, that strength, with ev'ry 
grace 
A pilgrim wears, shall suffer fiery proof. 1 
—But, for your lasting comfort, 'tis our charge 
To grant one happy glimpse of your blest Home. 
— So saying, to a prospect-hill eall'd Clear, 
They pass'd. — There, through a tube of wondrous pow'r, 
Pried the glad Pilgrims ; but each tremulous nerve 
By recent horrors rack'd, palsied their hold, 
And baulk'd their steady gaze. 2 — Yet some sweet gleams 



1 No man can see the heart of another, or certainly know him to be a true 
believer: it is, therefore, proper to warn the most approved persons, 
44 while they think they stand, to take heed lest they fall." Such cau- 
tions, with the diligence, self-examination, watchfulness, and prayer which 
they excite, are the means of perseverance and establishment to the 
upright. 

2 Such is the infirmity of our nature, even when in a measure reno- 
vated, that it is almost impossible for us vigorously to exercise one holy 
affection, without failing in some other. Allien we confide in God, with 
assured faith and hope, we commonly are defective in reverence, humi- 
lity, and caution : on the other hand, a jealousy of ourselves, and a salutary 
fear of coming short or drawing back, generalfy weaken confidence iu Goitj 



212 

They caught, all-wistful, of the dazzling Gate, 
And golden streets within. 

The grateful Sojourners 
Thus amply cheer'd, now hasted to depart:— 
Whilst the kind Shepherds, wisely provident, 
Shar'd each a farewell token.-KNowtEDGE,'gave 
A chart thatplann'd their «wy.-Exp B RiBNCE, hade them 
Beware the Flatterer.— Watchful, warn'd 
From fatal slumber on the' Enchanted Ground. 
Sincere, embrac'd them; and, with one sweet smile 
That seal'd the blessing sure, bade them Godspeed! 



Now to a level champaign they descend;— 
The region of Conceit:— Anon, they mark'd, 
Aloof from their own track, a beaten path 
Wide straggli„g._l ssuing thence briskly abrupt, 
Shoal-witted Ignorance, (a callow stripling,)' 
Join'd them: whom Chiustian thus shrewdly beset. 

^Juh^di^'ih^^acTion'^r ?' ° Ur f " tUre i^ritance. But, 
experiences arevery advan a«o„s -" g R' Zl |f"> aiuiD e , unbelief, such' 
tor •• blessed is the nL, that SbTlwfys"- h ' gh minded ' but «» : " 

and^^o^^ 

opinion of their acquaintance ■ who a Z„ ,'J Presume on the good 

they expose their ignorance co„Ti„llv P 4Lfancv T.r lC | atiVe> U,0 V 

to.all these defects, ™,d ncrtVrw d 2ft . '«? P ro P ortion »°>e blindness 
featnrei in tliis portrait ,orwa "l self-sufficiency, are the prominent 



213 

* Whence fare you, honest friend? and whither bound ? 

Ign. From yon fair country diligent I toil, 
To seek the heavenly Zion. 

Chr, But, what plea 

Or passport bear you for admittance there? 

Ign. Truly, I hope to fare as others do: — 
I know my Master's will; live by his rules; 
Clear all just debts ; fast, pray, pay tithes, give alms, 
And, for a pilgrim's lot leave all behind. 

Chr. Yet since presumptuously thou hast shunn'd the 
Gate 
That heads this way ; and, down yon crooked path 
Perversely stray'd; much, much I fear, ev'n thou 
At heavVs last judgment may'st partake the doom 
Of thieves and robbers. 

Ign. Hold! — Your guise and talk 

Are strange to me; and, of a faith so crabbed, 
Least known is best. — Besides — I dare be sworn 
The long, bewildered round to that strange Gate 
Not one in all these distant parts could speil! — 
Nor need they — since yon pleasant path buts down 
On this, right readily. — Content ye, then, 
Still to abide your choice, and leave me mine: — 
All will, I hope, be well. 

Here Christian stept 



214 

Apart; and, to his choice friend closely whisper'd 
'— Well fits the homely proverh this vain youth:— 
" Wise in his own conceit, there is more hope 
" Of a stark fool than him:*"-Yet still I yearn 
' To graft on his green age some precious germ 
' Of wisdom.— Say then, shall we ply once more 
' Our task of love?' 

HoPE - Rather forbear awhile ;— 

Leave him to lonely thought, and probe him again 
When he may best endure it. 1 

Thus agreed, 
They pass'd him by:— And now, a dark deep rift, 
Bord'ring another by-road down to Hell, 
They enter'd.-A wild shriek, with yelling shouts 
Of fiend-like mockery, scar'd them:-when, behold, 
A wretched caitiff, bound with a seven-fold chain, 
Sev'n fiery demons goaded in grim sport, 
And hurried back to torment Jf-Shuddering 
The Pilgrims gaz'd, and, as he pass'd, this badge 
Of branded infamy, on the Captive's vest 
Distinctly read:-' Vile Wanton, Curs' d Apostate." 

[See NOTJSH (he end of the Volume.] 

* Prov. xxvi. 12. + Matt. xii. 45. Prov v 22 

out7ter\ b fel™& 

conceit is often chScd 'by Xmation ° SrtlSftSlS = ^P* V* 

very expert, however d.sgJtin, SMSJUftS, 'X'4 2 " t'h£? "^ 

occas.on to contrast V*m&Jl^&^&<»£ 



215 

The hideous chasm now clear'd, they halted where 
A well-match'd path, straight as the track they trod, 
Embarrass'd them. — Here as they spelt awhile 
Uncertain, a grave stranger, saintly veil'd 
In a pure lightsome robe, hail'd them, 
And tender'd them safe conduct. — Trustful they trac'd 
Each footstep of their venerable Guide, 
Till, veering scarce perceived, a tangled bourn 
At length they enter'd. — Here the Pilgrims' faith 
Misgave them, all too late ! — At the first thought 
Of prompt return, they sunk in a coil'd snare, 
Fast lock'd, and powerless ; while the subtle Cheat, 
Their curs'd seducer, dropt his bright villany, 
And, stalking in black horror, mock'd their moans, 
And left them to their fate ! 

\ O, doleful hour V 
Sigh'd Christian; ' we have plungMthat very snare 
' So lately pointed us ! — 'Twas our special charge, 
" Beware the Flatterer I" 

Hope, Yea, and more to shame 



* Apostate.'' Loose evangelical professors look down with supercilious 
disaain on those who do not understand the doctrines of grace, and think 
themselves more enlightened, and better acquainted with the liberty of the 
gospel, than more practical christians: but in dark times wanton professors 
often turn out damnable apostates, and the detection of their hypocrisy 
makes them ashamed to shew their faces among those believers, over whom 
they before affected a kind of superiority. When couvictions subside, 
and Christ has not set up his kingdom in the heart, the unclean spirit re- 
sumes his former habitation, and "takes to himself seven other spirits 
" more wicked than himself," who bind the poor wretch faster than ever 
in the cords of sin and delusion ; so that his last state is more hopeles> 
than the first. Such apostasies make the hearts of the upright to tremble 
but a recollection of the nature of the Apostate's profession and confidence 

gradually removes their difficulties, and they recover their hope, and learn 

to take heed to themselves. 



216 

Our folly and guilt, one cautionary glance 
At our true map, had warded us to shun 
These paths of the destroyer.* 

As thus they wail'd, 
A shining Messenger with wrath-bent brow 
Drew near, arm'd with a knotted scourge, and ask'd 
Their strange mischance. 

' Alas!' said Christian, rack'd 
With guilty terror; * zealously we pursu'd 
1 The way to Zion, till, in evil hour, 
* A foul Deceiver, cloak'd as a saint of heav'n, 
' Betray'd us hither/ 

1 That mask'd foe/ replied 
The radiant stranger, ' is a child of Hell — 
1 A false Apostle — who, at will transforms 
' Himself into a seeming Angel of Light.'f — 
— So saying, with a potence all divine, 
He rent the snare, and led them forth again 
To the right way. Their peril thus retriev'd, 
He won the full confession of their guilt ; 
Then, with a melting sympathy, chastis'd 
Their thoughtless folly, while these gracious words 
Spake his kind heart. — I As many as I love 
1 I chide and chasten. Hear ye, then, the rod; 
i Be zealous, and repent. | 

• Psa. xvii. 4. 
+ 2 Cor. xi. 13, 14. Dan. xi. 32. + Rev. iii. If*. 



217 

Their sacred Guide 
Now left them — thankful for their just rebuke, 
Yet deeply sorrowing for the guilty cause. 1 — 
— — As thus they journey'd, they perceived afar, 
A lapsed Advenfrer (Atheist was his proud name,) 
With lofty stride approaching. Much they fear'd 
(So lately foil'd,) another enemy, 
And rous'd them to the watch.-— Anon, he haiFd them, 
And ask'd their bearing. 

Chr. With steady faith and hope 

In the sure promise of eternal rest, 
We travel to Mount Zion, 



1 This Way, which seemed as straight as the right Way, and in entering 
on which there was no Stile to climb over, must denote some very plausible 
and gradual deviation from the simplicity of the gospel, in doctrine or 
practice. Peculiar circumstances may require the believer to act ; while 
so much can be said in support of different measures, as to make him he- 
sitate: and, if he then listen to the Flatterer, he will certainly be 
misled. But what is meant by the FLATTERER 1 — It cannot reasonably 
be supposed, that the author meant to state that the Pilgrims hearkened 
to such as preach justification by the works of the law ; or flatter men's 
self complacency by harangues on the dignity of human nature, and the 
unbiassed freedom of the will, the sufficiency of reason in matters of 
religion, the goodness of the heart, or the dreams of sinless perfection : 
for experienced christians cannot be thus imposed on. And gross anti- 
nomianism can never greatly attract the attention of those, who have 
been in DOUBTING-CASTLE for turning aside into By-PATH-MEADOW. 
—-But the human mind is always accessible to flattery, in one form or 
other ; and there have in every age been teachers and professed christians, 
who have soothed men in a good opinion of their state on insufficient 
grounds ; or fed their spiritual pride by expressing too favourable thoughts 
of their attainments, which is often mistaken for a very loving spirit. This 
directly tends to induce unwatchfulness, and an unadvised way of deciding 
in difficult cases: and thus men are imperceptibly led to consult their 
own inclination, ease, or interest, instead of the will and glory of God. — 
But the FLATTERER is ' a black man in a white robe ;' a designing hypo- 
crite, who with plausibility, fluency of speech, talents, eloquence, or polite 
accomplishments, and very evangelical views of religion, " serves not our 
" Lord Jesus Christ, but his own belly; and by good words and fair 
•' speeches deceives the hearts of the simple." Such a man will not shock 
serious minds by gross antinomianism : but he will insist disproportionately 
and indiscriminately on privileges, promises, and consolatory topics ; and 



218 

' Zion V (exclaim'd 
The scorner, bolting a coarse obstreperous laugh,) 
' What ! are ye so besotted, still to drag 
' This tedious, toilsome, endless, idiot search 
1 For hopes, and dreamy moonshine ? 

Chr - Nay, dost thou doubt 

Of our safe welcome there ? 

Ath - Doubt, man ! 'tis all 

Stark frantic foolery :— Why there's no such place 
In the wide world ! 

Chr - But, in the world to come 

wmmmsm 

manner; they ,vill ei.her be fcSto^^^^XSffS 
eo^f-afa^ 

mmmmm 



219 

Ath. Away — away with such stale trickery ! — 
Full twenty years Fve travelled in keen search 
Of that bragg'd City, and return as wise 
As on my first day's roving.* 

Chr. But we hold 

Our firm belief unwavering. 

Ath. In firm faith 

I ventured too :~ Yea, far beyond your track, 
And now, e'en whilst I may, I get me home 
To sport my folly, and retrieve those joys 

I madly left behind. 

This said, he veer'd ; 
Then, flinging with proud scorn a parting hand, 
Hurried him back: When Christian thus continued. 

4 Think you, my friend, this man reports the truth V 

Hope. Brother — ' Beware the Flatterer P lest again 
We rue the bitter cost. — What ! no Mount Zion ? 
Did we not see the Gate ?— Truly, methinks 
Thou shouldst have rung the larum in my ears 
111 roundly peal in thine. Thus saith thy Lord : — 
c Cease, cease, my son, to heed -the words of him 
4 Who sneers at heav'nly wisdom /+ 

Chr. Well hast thou stood 

* Eccles. x. 15. Jer. xvii. 15. + Prov. xix, 27. Heb. x, 39. 

k2 



220 

Staunch-valiant for the Truth : — I only sought 
To try thee, and make shine thy honest zeal : — 
So may we still in faith and hope press on 
Unwav'ring to the end. 1 

Communing thus, 
They enter'd a dull region, widely o'ercast 
With drowsy-lulling vapour. — All around 
Was mute as death : Whilst Hopeful, lab'ring on 
With laggard pace, a leaden spell weigh'd down 
Nerveless ; and he besought to rest awhile. 

Chr. Not for thy life ! lest, liug'ring here, perchance 
Thou sleep, to wake no more ! 

Hope. Why, brother, what can be 

More sweet, than sleep to the worn labourer ? 

1 Some false professors gradually renounce M the truth as it is in 
" Jesus : M but others openly set themselves against all kinds of religion, 
and turn scoffers and infidels. Indeed none are more likely to become 
avowed atheists, than such as have for many years hypocritically professed 
the gospel -. for ihey often acquire an acquaintance with the several parts 
of religion, their connexion with each other, and the arguments with 
which they are supported ; so that they know not where to begin, if they 
would oppose any particular doctrine or precept of revelation. Yet they 
hate the whole system ; and, having never experienced those effects from 
the truth, which the Scripture ascribes to it, they feel, that if there be 
any reality in religion, their own case is very dreadful, and wish to shake 
off this mortifying and alarming conviction. And, as they have princi- 
pally associated with loose professors, and witnessed much folly and wick- 
edness among them; they willingly take up a bad opinion of all who 
pretend to piety, (as rakes commonly revile all women,) and so they make 
a desperate plunge, and treat the wnole of religion as imposture and de- 
lusion : pretending, that upon a thorough investigation, they find it to be 
a compound of knavery, folly, and fanaticism. Thus God in awful judg- 
ment permits Satan to blind their eyes, because they "obeyed not the 
" truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Men set out with a dead 
faith and a worldly heart, and at length occupy the seat of the scorner ! — 
The vain reasonings and contemptuous sneers of such apostates, may turn 
aside other unsound characters, and perplex new converts : but the expe- 
rience of established believers will fortify them against these manifest 
delusions; and corrections for previous mistakes will reuder them jealous 
of themselves, and one another; so that they will go on their way with 
greater circumspection, and pity the scorner who ridicules them. 



221 

Chr. How! 

Hast thou forgot our late directory, 
'Beware the Enchanted Ground?'— Rouse thee, my 

friend !— % 

* Let us not sleep as others ; but 1 (thus warn'd) 
1 Watch, and be sober/* 

Hope. Brother, I own my fault : — 

Here, had I far'd alone, I had doubtless slept 
The sleep of death !— Full oft thy watchful care 
Hath stood my timely safeguard, and shall meet 
A blest reward. 1 

CHR. — But let us now shake off 

This drowsy spell by diligent discourse. 

Hope. With all my heart. 



* 1 Thess. v. 6. 

1 The Enchanted Ground may represent a state of exemption 
from peculiar trials, and of worldly prosperity : especially when christians 
are unexpectedly advanced in their outward circumstances, or engaged in 
extensive flourishing business. A concurrence of agreeable dispensations 
sometimes succeeds to long-continued difficulties ; the believer's peace is 
little interrupted, but he has not very high affections or consolations; he 
meets with respect and attention from his friends and acquaintance ; and 
is drawn on by success in his secular undertakings. This powerfully 
tends, through remaining depravity, to produce a lethargic and indolent 
frame of mind : the man attends on religious ordinances^and the constant 
succession of duties, more from habit and conscience, than from delight in 
the service of God : and even they, who have acquitted themselves credi- 
tably in a varied course of trials and conflicts, often lose much of their 
vigour, activity and vigilance, in these fascinating circumstances. No 
situation, in which a believer can be placed, requires so much watchful- 
ness : other experiences resemble storms, which keep- a man awake almost 
against his will ; this is a treacherous calm, which invites and lulls him 
to sleep. But pious discourse, the jealous cautions of faithful friends, and 
recollections of the Lord's dealings with us in times past, are admirably 
suited to counteract this tendency. — The subsequent dialogue contains the 
author's own exposition of several particulars in the preceding allegory. 



222 

Chr. And where shall we begin! 

Hope. Where God began with us. 

Chr. Say then, What first 

Brought thee on pilgrimage ? 

Hope. Long, long I rang'd 

Our town of Vanity, in feverish chace 
Of its vile gauds : — Intoxicate I drained 
Each flattering sweet ; and well nigh drown'd my soul 
In gay perdition : when thy warning voice, 
With our beloved Faithful's, (heard as the voice 
Of heav'n,) this Word thrust home. ' For these things' sake 
* Cometh the wrath of God upon the children 
1 Of disobedience :' yea, ' the fearful end 
' Of all these things is death/* 

Chr. But did you fall 

At once beneath that dread conviction ? 

Hope. No: — 

Those truths sore haunted me ; but I shut mine eyes 
Against their angry terrors. 

Chr. But wherefore 

Didst thou withstand that first effective work 
Of God's good Spirit? 

• Eph. v. 6. Rom. vi. 21— 23. 



223 

Hope. I accounted not 

'Twas his good work : Sin to my flesh was sweet ; 
Too sweet to yield : My vile companions clave 
In sordid league to me, and I to them : — 
As yet too dear to part : — But, more than all, 
So fearful grew those heart-appalling pangs 
Of stern conviction, 'twas my desp'rate aim 
To rid them as they rose. 

Chr. And did you gain 

Relief? 

Hope. Short was my respite : Each past sin, 
Forc'd on my frequent thought, like a check'd wave 
Pressed heavier than before. 

Chr. What brought your guilt 

So terribly to view ? 

Hope. The very sight 

Of a true saint : — The faithful Word of God: — 
A transient pain ; sick neighbour ; tolling bell : — 
The fear of sudden death: — But, most, the alarm 
Of swift-approaching judgment. 

Chr. And how then ? 

Hope. Tormented thus, I set me to amend 
My flagrant life : Yea, each inveterate sin 
I fled : My vile companions I renounc'd : 
I read, pray'd, wept, and rang'd the total round 



224 

Of duty to appease my troubled soul. 

Chr. But was the storm thus quelPd? 

Hope. 'Twas hugh'd awhile ; 

Till, suddenly, the tempest rag'd again 
In tenfold fury, o'er the very neck 
Of all this fair reform. 

Chr. How so? 

Hope. 'Twas rous'd 

By various causes ; chiefly, by these dread words : — 

* Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags : — 
1 No legal works can justify the soul: 

* When ye have done these things, account yourselves 

' Unprofitable servants/* -By these home truths, 

My hope to escape from hell and merit heav'n 

By my own works, sunk utterly to despair. 
Besides — I reckoned thus.— No new reform 
Though without spot, can cancel former guilt. 
That debt remains : — perdition is my due 
For each least sin. How then should I be clear? 

Chr. 'Twas wisely judg'd: — What follow'd? 

Hope. Thus self-condemn'd, 

I broke to Faithful my distracted mind : — 
He taught me that the righteousness of One 

• Isa. lxiv. 6. Lukexvii. 10. Gal: ii. 10. 



225 

Pure from all taint of sin, and made my own 
By an imputed claim, alone could save 
My wretched soul. 

Chr. And did you credit him ? 

Hope. Such tidings, brought when swoln with proud 
conceit 
Of my own works, would but have rous'd my scorn :— - 
But, when I saw enough of sin still blended 
With each best duty, to have plung'd my soul 
In endless woe, this forc'd my firm assent. 

Chr. But did you know that man, so spotless pure, 
And how to make his righteousness your own?* 

Hope. At first I knew him not — yea, passing strange 
Seem'd that deep mystery, till our gen'rous friend 
Beloved Faithful, to my wond'ring view 
Pointed the man Christ Jesus : — Equal Son 
Of the Most High :— Partaker of his throne :— 
Immaculate:— Emmanuel :— God with Us. — 

* — Behold/ said he, ' in His obedient life 

* And sin-atoning death, the Law's full due, 

' And an all-perfect Righteousness ; — wrought out 
' Not for himself, but, freely to impute 
' Its saving virtue to the soul that pleads 
4 No merit of its own, and trusts in Him/ 

* Rom. iv. Col. i. Heb, x. 2 Pet. i. 

k3 



226 

Chr. Proceed. — 

Hope. 'Twas grace transcending my belief: — 

I dar'd not think such mercy meant for me. 

Chr. How quell' d your friend these doubts ? 

Hope. He gave me next 

A book — Emmanuel's own all-faithful Word — 
Inviting me to share his offer 'd grace.* 
He taught me to approach in His blest name 
The heav'nly mercy-seat, where God himself 
Waits, ever, to be gracious ; and pour forth 
My heart and soul before him.f 

Chr. And did you pray 

Thus fervently? 

Hope. Oft, oft, and yet again, 

Yea, many a secret hour, I wrestled hard 
For full salvation. 

Chr. Was thy constant suit 

Soon granted? 

Hope. Nay — so wearily delay'd, 

'Twas oft my wav'ring thought to leave off prayer: 
But firm belief that Christ alone could save 



1 Matt. xi. 28. xxiv. 35. + Exod. xxv. 22. Lev. xvi. 2. Psa. xcy. 0. 
Jer. xxix, 12, 13. Dao. vi. 10. Heb. iv. 16. 



227 

My wretched soul ; yea, that to cease from prayer 
Must prove my bane, resolv'd me still to ply 
Importunately bold, the throne of grace, 
And, if I must be slain, to perish there. 
— But chiefly, that good Word encouraged me : — 
' Wait, though it seem to tarry: — Wait His time; — 
i 'Twill surely come, nor without need delay/* 
— Thus cheer'd, unceasingly I urg'd my plea, 
Till the Most High his equal Son reveaFd 
In all his plenitude of Truth and Grace. 

Chr. And how was he reveaFd? 

Hope. Not to my gross 

Corporeal sense, but, to my mental view.f — 
And thus it was : — One day, one dreary day 
Of deathlike sadness never known till then, 
I pondered o'er my sins in hopeless dread 
Ev'n of the nethermost hell: when, lo! methought 
I saw the gracious Ransomer all soothingly 
Look down from heav'n on me ; and thus he spake \-^ 
1 Believe on the Lord Jesus, and be sav'd/J 
I answer'd, ' Lord, my sins, my countless sins, 
' (Wretch that I am!) forbid me to believe/ 
' — Fear not/ (said he,) ' my saving grace shall prove 
' Sufficient for thee : — Yea, whoso comes to me 
' Shall never be cast out/§ — Big tears of joy 
Stood in mine eyes, whilst hopefully I replied, 

* Hab. ii. 3. t Eph. i. 18, 19. % Acts xvi. 30, 31. 
\ John vi. 37. 



228 

' Lord, how I must account of thee, to ^k 
i My faith and hope aright?' — Gracious he smiFd, 
And thus continued. — ' Christ came into the world 
1 To save the chief of sinners. Yea, he is the end 
6 Of the whole Law for perfect righteousness 
' To all who trust in him. — He for their crimes 
1 Laid down his spotless life, and rose again 

' To justify their souls. So great his love, 

1 He wash'd them from their sins in his own blood, 
6 And ever lives to advocate and befriend them/* 

Chr. A blest revealing, truly: but, how wrought 
His teaching on thy heart? 

Hope. I saw his grace 

In all its boundless plenitude was mine : — 
That HeavVs offended Sovereign might be just, 
Yet justify the self-renouncing soul 
That trusts his truth. Such grace bestow'd on me> 
So vile, so hopeless, covered me with shame 
For my past guilt, and bow'd me to the dust: 
Nor ever till that hour did Christ appear 
So ' altogether lovely/ — Now, constraint 
By favours so divine, I lov'd, I long'd 
For spotless purity of heart and life. — 
Zealous I sought some service that might yield 
Peculiar honour to his holy name. 
Yea, had ten thousand lives been mine, all, all 
For His dear sake I had at once laid down. 

• 1 Tim. i. 15. Rom. x. 4. Heb. vii. 24, 25. 



THE 

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 

BOOK IX. 



Ix sweet discourse thus faring, they descry 
Their novice-pupil, Ignorance, aback, 
Still, saunfring on, and wait his company : — 
When Christian, freely again thus handled him. 1 

' How now, my friend ! How stands the grand account 
' Between thy soul and heay'n V 

Igx. Why — well, I hope: — 

My lonely thought is comfortably stor'd 
With profitable musings. 



1 In the following- dialogue IGNORANCE speaks exactly in character ; 
and the answers of CHRISTIAN are conclusive against such absurd and 
unsciiptuial grounds of confidence, as are continually maintained by many 
who would be thought pious christians. 



230 

Chr. What are' they I 

Ign. I think on God and heav'n. 

Chr. Devils, and lost souls, 

Think much on these. 

Ign. But I desire them too. 1 

Chr. So thousands crave, who never shall obtain them : 
' The sluggard soul desireth, and hath nothing/* 

Ign. But I for the fair Prize have left my all. 

Chr. Nay — there I doubt: — Such self-denying zeal 
Is hard to brook, though easy to conceit. — 
But what persuades thee thus ? 

Ign. My heart assures me. 

Chr. Hear what the wise man saith: — 'Who trusts 
' his heart/ 

• Prov. xiii. 4. 

1 The desire of heavenly felicity, when the real nature of it is not 
understood, the proper means of obtaining it are neglected, other objects 
are preferred to it, or sloth and procrastination intervene, is no proof that 
a man will be saved. — In like manner this expression, the desire of grace is 
grace, must be owned to be very fallacious and ambiguous. Men may be 
notionally convinced that without grace they must perish, and mere sel- 
fishness may excite some feeble desjres after it; though woildly affections 
predominate, and the real value of the spiritual gooc" is not perceived. 
But to hunger and thirst for God and his righteousness, his favour, image, 
and service, as the supreme good ; so that no other object can satisfy the 
earnest desire of the heart, and every thing is renounced that interferes with 
the pursuit of it, is grace indeed, and shall be completed in glory. 



231 

(That deep, that bosom traitor,) ' is a fool/* 1 

Ign. This holds, I grant ye, of an evil heart, 
But mine is good. 

Chr. By what sound proof? 

Ign. It soothes 

And comforts me in stedfast hope of heav'n. 

Chr. Thy heart may play the traitor. Many build 
High comfort on but slender ground of hope. 1 

Ign. But mine is solid ground. — My heart and life 
In holy proof agree. 

Chr. Who tells thee so ! 

Ign. My heart. 

Chr. How ! — dost thou take me for a thief ? — 

Thy heart? — I warn thee, if the Word of Truth 
Bear not full witness, other proof is vain. 

Ign. Yet, sure, that heart is good whose thoughts are 
good: 

* Prov. xviii. 26. 

1 It is exceedingly dangerous to make comfort a ground of coDfldeuce ; 
unless the nature, source, aud effects of that comfort be considered : for it 
may result entirely from ignorance and self-flattery, in a variety of ways. 



232 

That life must needs be pure, whose ev'ry act 
Squares with the Rule Divine. 

Chr. Granted — but mark- 

To pride the fancy with these high conceits 
Proves not possession. 

Ign. Prithee then, declare 

Thy notion of good thoughts, and a pure life 
Squared right with God's commands. 

Chr. Good thoughts respect 

Ourselves, and God, and Christ ; and what beside 
May best accord with these. 

Ign. First, of ourselves. 

Chr. When strictly they agree (like face to face 
In some pure glass,) with God's unerring Word, 
Our thoughts are good. 1 

Ign. When thus do they agree? 

Chr. That Word declares ' There's none by nature 
1 pure, 



1 " That which is born of the flesh is flesh ;" " The carnal mind is 
*' enmity against God ; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither 
" indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God ;" 
for " They are by nature the children of wrath." This is man's natural 
condition : but of the regenerate it is said, " Ye are not in the flesh, but 
u in the spirit;" "for that which is born of the Spirit is spirit;" and to 
such persons the texts adduced do not apply. 



233 

i None righteous, no, not one/ — That ' Ev'ry thought, 
' And purpose, and device, of man's base heart, 
' Is evil — constant evil from his youth/* 

Ign. I never will believe my heart thus vile. 

Chr. And therefore one good thought of thine own self 
Thou never hadst— But further — That pure Word 
Denotes man's ways all c crooked/ all * perverse/ 
6 Far from the way of peace/f — Now, when we judge 
And mourn our ways thus vile, our thoughts are good. 

Ign. When think we right of God? 

Chr, When we revere 

His glorious nature, as his Word reveals him: — 
When humbly we account, We're better known 
To Him, than to ourselves: — that, To his view, 
Our inmost thoughts, — our hearts with all their depth 
Of secret evil, are expos'd and bare : — 
That he detects close-lurking sin, where we 
Least think it in ourselves : — And, That our best, 
Our holiest duties, arrogantly brought 
As claimants to his throne, he spurns and loathes. 

Ign. Dost rate me, then, a fool? that /should reckon 
The all-seeing God short-sighted as myself? 
Or with my best performances approach 

* Geu. vi. 5. Rom, iii. + Psa. cxxv. 5. Prov. ii. 15. 



234 

His holy throne ? ! 

Chr * Why, what is then thy creed ! 

Ign. In brief, I must believe on Christ our Lord 
For justifying grace. 

Chr. Believe on Him 

Of whom thou seest no need ?— How !— -boast thyself 
So pure, so righteous, yet believe on Him? 

Ign. I say my faith is firmly fix'd on Him. 
Chr. But how? 

Ign. I hold he died for sinners. Yea, 

That through his boundless merit, he shall make 
My just obedience to his Father's law 
Accepted, and acquit me from the curse. 

Chr. Hear then my honest answer.— This strange creed 
Is idle and fantastic : false and vain.— 



> The external services, performed by unresenerate n pr«m, 6 f™»v» „ i 

nltr 1 Ve \ bei ?f g ^ aSd P? rtia1 ' and mXtl^ ground of Stcom" 
El- °7:.h nd i S f lf - n . ghte0 S S pnde ' " are domination in the sight of God - 
however •■ highly esteemed among men." " For men look aUh P lh!!: i 
"appearance, but the Lord looketh at the heart ™ Even the o^Wp 

fiSi e b v eIi ir er ' thou ^ itsprings from 4ht%«p^ n .^h^s c »i f 

ritual excellency ,n it, is yet so defective and defiled by sin that if V \l 
were not accepted as the fruit of the Spirit through the mediation o t 
Christ, it must be condemned by the holV law and rei«5«1^1?h a SS 
2k& a ^ °/ "J Dite pUFity MenVnay liiSwtog nwor^and^yTt 



235 

It stands not on God's Word : It takes the work 
Of justifying grace from its true source, 
The righteousness of Christ ; and sets thy works 
Presumptuous in its stead. Yea, this fond faith 
Still trusted, shall deceive thy towering hopes, 
And leave thee under wrath. True saving faith 
Boasts in the righteousness of Christ alone: 
That spotless robe, shrouded beneath whose skirt, 
The soul is counted faultless before God, 
And quit from condemnation. 1 

Ign. What! shall we trust 

The righteousness of Christ wrought in our stead, 
And hold our best obedience vain and void ? 
Truly this rare conceit may we]l content 
The vilest: Licens'd thus, he may lay loose 
The reins of ev'ry lust, and fearless live 
As best may like him. 

Chr. Ignorance is thy name, 

Ignorance thy nature. — Ignorant thou art 
Of justifying grace, and how thy soul 
31 ay trust it, and escape the wrath to come. 
Yea, ignorant of the fruits of saving faith 
In Christ's all-perfect righteousness ; nor know'st 
It bows and wins the grateful heart to God ; 

1 The way of being justified by faith, for which IGNORANCE pleads, 
may well be called 'fantastical,' as well as 'fake;' for it is no where laid 
down in Scripture : and it not only changes the way of acceptance, but it 
lakes away the rule and standard of righteousness, and substitutes a vague 
notion called sincerity iu its place, which never was, or can be, defined 
with precision. 



236 

And works by love to his most holy name, 
His word, his ways, his people. 

Hopeful to Chr. Ask, if e'er 

The Saviour was reveal'd from heav'n to him. 

Ign. What! you're a man forsooth, for wonders, signs, 
Visions, and revelations !— Hark ye, then, 
I say these mystic dreams are the wild fruit 
Of a distracted brain. 

Chr - How! dost thou scoff? 

I tell thee, Christ is savingly made known 
By teaching from above. 1 Yea, ev'n that faith 
Which makes the Saviour ours, is wrought alone 
By the great pow'r of God.* O then, be wise : 
Awake thee to thy wretchedness and guilt: 
Flee to the Friend of Sinners: cleave to Him: 
And, in His righteousness Divine thy soul 
Firm trusting, shall escape the wrath to come. 

Ig n. Your hurried pace outbreathes me :— Pass you on, 

And leave me to my own. So saying, again 

Droning he dropt behind: while steadily 

The vigilant Pilgrims (o'er the' Enchanted ground 

• Matt. xi. 27. 1 Cor. xii. 3. Eph. i. 18, 19. 
■ Pride, unbelief, and carnal prejudices or affections, so close the mind 
Ch^fX, ag H ?St t , he *T n -V} aI S l01 7 0f the Person and redemption of 
£ ™ ' i la t not, " n S' , » ut V ie illumination of the Spirit removing this veil, 
can enable h»m to understand and receive the revelation of the sacred 
Oracles on these important subjects. 



237 

Still traversing,) their sober talk renewed. 

Chr. It grieves me, much, to bode it, but I fear 
This self-save witling will at last fall short. 

Hope. Alas ! he's nothing strange. In our vain town 
Whole families, whole streets, swarm with his like, 
Who rate themselves true pilgrims! And, if thus 
They throng our distant region, who can guess 
What crowds infest his neighbourhood? 1 

Chr. Be sure 

That Word too well imports them. ' Their blind eyes 
4 In judgment God hath seal'd.' But, think you, my 

friend, 
No galling sense of guilt, or fears of wrath, 
E'er rouse their sottish stupor ! 

Hope. Brother, that point 

Is better in your handling. 

Chr. Sometimes, methinks, 

Conviction may strike home : but, ignorant 
Of its true drift, their everlasting good, 
Desperate they seek to stifle and ward off 
Each salutary pang, and lull their souls 
With fatal flatteries. 



1 If numbers of ignorant persons may be found among the apparently 
religious, what must be the case of those, who are left without instruction 
to their native pride and self-conceits 



238 

Hope. Doubtless, then, right fear 

Is a first work of grace. 

Chr. So saith the Word :— 

1 Wisdom's first lesson is the fear of God/* 

Hope. Describe me this right fear. 

Chr. Its genuine source 

Is deep remorse for sin. — It drives the soul 
To lay fiVd hold on Christ for full salvation : 
It works by reverent regard to God, 
His Word and ways : It keeps the smitten conscience 
Tender, and trembling to dishonour Him, 
Break its own peace, grieve His most Holy Spirit, 
Or cause ungodly scorners to blaspheme. 1 

Hope. Well said, my brother : thy pure speech accords 
With Truth's own word. But when shall we out- 
measure 
These drowsy plains? 

Chr. Why? Does this parley, then, 

Begin to pall? 

* Job xxviii.28. Psa. cxi. 10. Prov i. 7 ix. 10. 

1 Fears of wrath are too generally ascribed to unbelief, and deemed 
prejudicial; but this arises fiom ignorance and mistake; for belief of 
liod's testimony must excite fears iu every heart, till it is clearly perceived 
how that wrath may be escaped; and doubts mingled witb hopes must 
arise fiom faith, till a man is conscious of having experienced a laving 
change. These fears and doubts excite men to self-examination, watch* 
fulness, and diligence: and thus tend to the believer's establishment and 



239 

Hope. Truly, not so, my friend,— 
But, this dull weary wilderness ! 

Chr. Let us hold 

Brief patience, and 'tis past. 

— Now to our argument. Such is godly fear: 

But Ignorance accounts his terrors wrought 
By Satan, for his bane: Yea, cleaving still 
To pitiful self-holiness, he presumes 
He has no cause for fear ; and therefore steels 
His heart against it, though designM for good. 1 

Hope. Alas ! I can avouch the picture true. — 
? Twas once my own. — 

Chr. This boaster brings to my mind 

A forward zealot to your town well known: 
In Graceless once he dwelt, two miles remove, 
'Tis said, from Honesty: and his next neighbour 
Was Turnback the proud Pharisee. 



-l the full assurance of hope unto the end:" while the want of them often 
results from unbelief and stupidity of conscience, and terminates in carnal 
security and abuse of the gospel. Fears may indeed be excessive and 
unreasonable, and the effect of unbelief: but it is better to mark the ex- 
treme, and caution men against it, than by declaiming- indiscriminately 
against all doubts and fears, to help sinners to deceive themselves, and 
discourage weak believers from earnestly using the scriptural means of 
" making their calling and election sure." 

1 The expression, pitiful self holiness, denotes the opinion that ignorant 
persons entertain of their hearts as good and holy ; while the terra, self, 
righteousness, relates to their supposed good lives' but nothing can be 
further from our authors meaning, than to speak against M sanctification 
44 by the Spirit unto obedience," as evidential of our union with Christ, 
and acceptance in his righteousness. 



240 

Hope. His name 

Methinks, is Temporary. 

Chr. The self-same. — 

That man was once rous'd to a sense of sin, 
And sin's desert. 

Hope. Yea, oft with tears- he told me 
His bitterness of woe. — I pitied him ; 
And hop'd true grace was his: but soon he prov'd 
Tis not to ev'ry one who cries Lord, Lord. 

Chr. One while he vow'd himself all resolute 
For steady pilgrimage : but the cunning guile 
Of Save-self, on a sudden quell' d his zeal, 
And from that hour he shunn'd me. 1 

Hope. 'Tis a case 

Rank raging in our day. — But what sad cause 
Incurs this gross backsliding? 



1 TEMPORARY was doctrinalljr acquainted with the gospel, but a 
strauger to its sanctifying power. Such men have been forward in religion, 
hut that is now past; for they were always graceless, and came short of 
honesty, in their profession, if not in their moral conduct, and were ever 
ready to ivrn back into the world at a convenient season. They have in- 
deed been alarmed ; but terror without humiliation will never subvert self- 
confidence-, and of the numbers with whom some ministers converse under 
trouble ot conscience, and of whom they hope well, how many disappoint 
their expectations, and after a time plunge deeper into sin than ever ! 
Such convictions lesemble the blossoms of the fruit-tree, which must pre- 
cede the ripe fiuit, but do not always ptoduce it : so that we cannot say, 
* The more blossoms there are, the greater abundance there will be of 
fiuit;' though we may be assured there can be no fruit if there be no 
no blossoms. The reasons and the manner of such men*? declensions and 
•ipostasy are veryjustly and emphatically stated; though perhaps not with 
suflicient delicacy to suit the taste of this fastidious ai^e. 



241 

Chr. Nay — lend me now 

Your judgment. 

Hope* To my mind there seems 

Much complicated cause. — These boasters feel 
Keen sense of sin, but know no change of heart : — 
Thus sin, not loath'd, but for a while cast off 
To ease their torment, they with gross appetite 
(Its terrors gone,) more greedily repeat, 
As to his obscene vomit turns the dog.* 
— Nor less that slavish and ensnaring dread, 
The fear of man,f o'ermasters them. — Anon, 
Shook o'er the gulph of hell, at once they seem 
Dead to a sneering world, and flush for heav'n. — 
Those horrors past, they pause, and ponder coolly 
The scandal and the cost : till, dreaded scorn, 
Sure trouble, loss of all, damp their fond zeal 
For heav'n, and wed them to the world again ! 
—•Another block of stumbling, is false shame. 
Beneath their lowliest penitential weeds, 
Lurks latent pride : and, when the cross demands 
A welcome bearing, in their alter'd view 
Religion looks contemptible and mean. 
— But the head cause of their base tampering, 
Is dread of deep and salutary sense 
Of guilt and pending danger. Hence, when rous'd 
By some awakening monitor, they repel 
The gracious visitant ; and, madly bent, 

c 

2 Pet. ii 22. + Prov. xxix. 25. 
L 



242 

Ev'n to their own undoing, steel their hearts 
'Gainst warnings, judgments, terrors, and rebukes, 
And press, precipitous, the road to Hell. 

Chr. Well hast thou track' d the truth :— An unchanged 
mind 
Lurks at the root of all. And thus they show 
Like some staunch felon trembling at the bar. — 
He quakes before his judge, and meekly sues, 
All penitence and grief :— Trust him, who may:— 
He dreads the threat'ning halter ; and, that hour, 
That self-same hour, that warrants his reprieve, 
Sees him a sturdier villain than before. 

Hope. The cause is clear; now trace me this deep 
mischief 
Through its dark course, 

Chr. Most willingly :— And, first, 

These Temporaries bar their better thoughts 
From God, and death and judgment : — hence, they wane, 
And lapse from private duties, till, anon, 
They cease all secret prayer ; loose the strict curb 
From lawless lust ; nor watch, nor wail their sin : — 
Distasteful now, all fellowship they shun 
With warm and lively pilgrims: —then, they sink 
Each public duty to a frigid form ; 
And hear, and read, and talk on things divine 
With heartless languor : —next, in dev'lish spite 
They brand and blur the godly, and strip bare 



243 

Their venial flaws, to' excuse their own gross fall : — 

Thus callous to their bane, they now assort 

With loose and wanton scorners ; and partake 

In secret their lewd bent, with equal gust : — 

Ere long, they tamper with some little sin 

More openly : till with a bold outbrave, 

A flinted heart, a conscience judgment-proof, 

They drop the mask, and, madly launch'd again 

Down the black gulph of reckless infamy, 

Save some strange miracle of grace prevent, 

They sink, and perish in their own deceivings! L 

As thus their converse closed, the Pilgrims breath'd 
Lightsome and free : — The drowsy spell was past. — 

Now Beulah's* happy clime before them spread 
Serenely bright : 2 — a never-setting sun 

* Sol. Song ii. 16—12. Isa. lxii. 4—12. 

1 " The hypocrite will not pray always;" nor can he ever pray with 
faith and sincerity, for spiritual blessings : but he may deprecate misery, 
and beg to be made happy, and continue to observe a form of private re- 
ligion. But when such men begin to shun the company of lively chris- 
tians, to neglect public ordinances, and to excuse their own conduct, by 
imitating the devil, the accuser of the brethren, in calumniating pious 
persons, magnifying their imperfections, insinuating suspicions of them, 
and aiming to confouud all distinction of character among men; we may 
safely conclude their state to be perilous in the extreme. While professed 
christians should be exhorted carefully to look to themselves, and to watch 
against the first incursions of this spiritual declension ; it should ^Iso be 
observed, that the lamented infirmities and dulness of those who persist lu 
using the means of grace, and striving against sin ; who decidedly prefer 
the company of believers, and deem them the excellent of the earth ; and 
who are severe in judging themselves, but candid to others, are of a con- 
trary nature and tendency to the steps of TEMPORARY'S apostasy. 

2 The word BEULAH signifies married; and the prophet, in the passage 
whence it is quoted, predicted a very flourishing state of religion, which 
is yet in futurity : but the author accommodates it to the sweet peace 
and confidence which tried believers commonly experience towards the 
close of their lives. 

l2 



244 

Ranged the blest region : Flow'rs of every bloom 
Glow'd all around : Melodious birds tun'd forth 
Their vernal descant of connubial love, 
And the meek turtle from each tranquil shade 
Pour'd the soft tribute of her soothing strain. 
— Here too, (now bordering their eternal home,) 
They view'd the heav'nly City at full gaze, 
Rear'd on a blissful mount : and oft they met 
Celestial visitants, excursive here 
For hallow'd pastime ; or, intently throng'd 
To greet them safe : while with accordant shouts 
Of rapt'rous joy, they hail'd them on their way, 

* The holy people : — Ransom'd of the Lord : — 

' Belov'd : Sought out.' In this perennial land 

Of pure delights, the Bridegroom and the Bride — 
The great Mess I as and his own elect, 
Renew their plighted covenant : Yea, as joys 
The happy bridegroom o'er his faithful spouse, 
Their Lord exulted over them for good. 
— Here, sacred corn and wine, a boundless store, 
With healthful change of pleasures unalloy'd 
Sought through their weary pilgrimage, were dealt 
Spontaneous at their need : And oft, from out 
The Holy City, the Seraphic Choirs 
SwelFd the loud anthem, and proclaim'd abroad, 
4 Daughter of Zion ! lo ! thy Lord appears ! 

* Thy full Salvation comes ! Behold, He comes ; 

* And crowns thy waiting with a blest reward ! M 

1 The communion of paints in prayer, praises, and thanksgivings, with 
liberty and ardour, aud hearts uuited in cordial love; the beauties of ho- 



245 

Such was the happy land, awhile ordain' d 
The Pilgrims' rest: And now at nearer ken 
They hail'd the sacred City. — Pile on pile 
Effulgent in full blaze of pearls and gems, 
It rose : The street's wide range was pav'd with gold ;* 
While the reflected sun's meridian beam 
Gave double day ! Faint with intense desire 
To win the blissful portal, and behold 
Him, sought so long deep-sorrowing, they droop'd 
In languishment of love ; and, 'midst their pangs, 
(As ever and anon the' impassion'd pulse 
Of rapturous thought beat high,) aloud they cried, 
* If Him, my Lord, my best Belov'd, ye meet, 
1 I charge ye, tell him I am sick of love/ 1 

• Rev. xxi. 18. 2 Cor. iii. 18. 

liness, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit ; the healing beams of the 
Sun of righteousness, shining by the sweet light of divine truth upon the 
soul; exemption from darkening temptations and harassing doubts; lively 
earnests ana near prospects of heavenly felicity ; a cheering sense of com- 
munion with the heavenly host, in their fervent adorations, and a realizing 
apprehension of their ministering care over the heirs of salvation ; a com- 
fortable renewal of the acceptance of Christ, sealed with the tokens, 
pledges, and assurances of his love ; gratitude, submission, confidence in 
God ; hope, and the sweet exercise of tenderness, sympathy, meekuess, 
and humility, but little interrupted by the working of contrary evils-.— 
these things seem to constitute the happy state here represented. — It is 
remarkable that the Psalms (which were intended, among other uses, to 
regulate the devotions and experiences of believers,) abound at first with 
confessions, complaints, fears, and earnest cries of distress or danger ; 
but towards the close become more and more the language of confidence, 
gratitude, and joy, and conclude with unmingled praises and thanksgivings. 

1 In the immediate view of heavenly felicity, Paul " desired to „de- 
M part hence and be with Christ," as M far better" than life ; and David 
" tainted for God's salvation." In the lively exercise of holy affections, 
the believer grows weary of this sinful world; and longs to have his faith 
changed for sight, his hope swallowed up in enjoyment, and his love per- 
fected, and secured from all interruption and abatement. Were this frame 
of mind habitual, it might unfit men for the common concerns of life, 
which appear very trifling to the soul when employed in delightful ad- 
miring contemplation of heavenly glory. 



246 

Thus tranc'd, awhile they lingered on their way ; 
Till, strength divine vouchsafed them, they repaired 
With angel convoy, to a blissful range 
Of orchards, gardens, vineyards, in full prime 
Of lavish luxury, and planned with walks 
All bloom, and arbors of delicious shade. 
— These, for his own delight, and the kind cheer 
Of Pilgrims waiting their eternal rest, 
The Great King planted. Here, again, they tarry - r 
And, by the Guardian of that soft retreat 
Welcomed, on the pure dainties freely far'd ;* 
Till those celestial viands, and the balm 
Of lightsome breezes, lull'd them to repose. 

Now, 'midst my dream, I marvell'd to perceive 
The Pilgrims, in their happy slumbers, fraught 
With speech more eloquent on themes divine 
Than e'er till that blest hour ! and, as I mus'd 
On the strange cause, the Warder of those bowers 
Thus solv'd my wonder. ' Wherefore dost thou muse 
1 On these heav'n-gifted Pilgrims thusinspir'd 
1 'Midst their pure slumbers ? 'Tis the sacred boast 
1 Of this fair vintage, to distil so sweet 
* Its vital essence, that amid the lapse 
' Of sleep, it wakes the lips to speech divine I' 1 

• Deut. xxiii. 24. 

1 Attendance on the public ordinances is always the believer's duty 
and privilege ; yet he cannot at all times delight in them : but, when holy 
affections are in lively exercise, he sweetly rests in these earnests of hea- 
venly joy; and speaks freely and fervently of the love of Christ, and the 
blessings of salvation, to the edification of those around him; who often 
wonder at witnessing such a change, from reserve and diffidence to bold- 
ness and earnestness, in urging otners to mind the one thing needful. 



247 

Now, from their hallow'd trance alert they rose, 
And ZiON-ward addressed them ; firmly bent 
For their blest home. But, as intense they gaz'd 
At nearer view on the resplendent walls, 
A shadowy glass they plied, that veil'd and sooth'd 
(With open face too glorious to behold,) 
The wide-effulgent blaze. 

As thus they far'd, 
Two heralds vestur'd as in burning gold, 
With faces of the radiant bloom of heaven, 
Saluted them ; and, with benignant smile, 
Besought in kind accordance, Where had lodg'd 
Their weary feet? — What perils, conflicts, foes, — 
What scenes of sacred solace and delight, 
Had chane'd and cheer'd them in their past career? 
— These briefly recounted, the celestial Pair 
Thus timely warn'd them. — i Well have ye approved 
' Your love, your zeal, your patience. — Hold yet firm :— 
4 Two short, two final difficulties brav'd 
i With faith unwavering, — then, (O blest reward!) 
i In holy triumph, to go out no more, 
4 Ye win the sacred City ! • l 

Thus forewarned, 
With trembling diffidence the Pilgrims crav'd 
Their tendance ; and with pensive step far'd on, 
Till the bright towers right opposite arose, 

1 The only remaining- difficulties that awaited the Pilgrims, were J3te«M, 
and admission into the City. 



248 
And in full view the dazzling portal beam'd. 

Descending now, they reach that sable shore 
The bourn of mortal pilgrimage. — A stream 
Of fearful depth, by no safe bridge relieved, 
Roll'd its dark waters in a sullen tide, 
Turbid, and cold. — The Pilgrims gaz'd appall'd ; 
And, pausing, of their heav'nly Guides enquir'd 
Some safer pass. 

6 One only/ (they replied,) 
1 Eludes this river : but no child of earth 
1 Save Enoch and Elijah, ever trod 
' That favoured path, nor e'er again shall tread, 
i ('Tis heav'ns high mandate,) * till the trump of doom/ 

The Pilgrims thus admonished, sudden sunk 
To deep despondence ; and around them cast 
A melancholy gaze of drear dismay : — 
But Christian, chiefly: — ' And is it thus?' — (he cried) 
4 Across this fatal barrier must we pass 
% To yon fair City ? — May no friendly ford 
' Bear our frail footing through the whelming tide 
' Safe from the lowest deep V 



4 Some surer ground' 
(Replied the angelic Pair,) ' the foot may trace 

* 'Mid these wild waters; — but no aid is ours: — 

* To point that safer pass, or steer your course 



249 

* 'Thwart the dread gulph, we may not.— 'Tis l>y faith 
' In Zion's King ye must abide this flood; 

4 So shall ye prove the peril scant or deep, 

* As faith is firm or wav'ring/ 

Thus prepared, 
Shuddering they scanned, then, plung'd the deadly tide:— 
They plung'd: and Christian suddenly borne down 
By one tremendous surge, began to sink. — 

* — Woe, woe is me !' (he cried, and, gasping, clung 
To his tried friend,) ' I sink in the deep mire ! 

' All, all his waves,— the billows of his wrath, 

* Roll o'er my head for ever 1 / 

' Cheer! — good cheer! 

* Bear up with me!' said Hopeful: — ' On firm ground, 
' On solid rock, I rest. — Take courage, then, 

' My brother: — Be not faithless, but believe/ 

f Alas!' sigh'd Christian; 'the fierce pangs of death, 

* The bitter pains of hell, seize on my soul: — 
4 O never shall I see the happy land 

' That flows with milk and honey V 

Wailing thus, 
A swoon of deadly horror — a deep cloud 
Of mortal darkness, on his eye-lids fell, 
And, from his wilder'd reason blotted blank 
All sweet remembrance of those blissful days 
That cheer'd his toilsome pilgrimage ; While sins ? 
L3 



250 

Oblivious deem'd, all rous'd in dread array 
From youth's frail dawn to that distressful hour, 
Menaced the gulph of merciless despair! 1 
— Nor less the powers of hell — fierce- banded fiends, 
And fiery phantoms, haunted him; and wreak/d, 
Desperate, their last worst rage. 

Thus hard beset, 



1 Death is aptly represented by a deep River without a Bridge, sepa- 
rating the believer from his heavenly inheritance; as Jordan flowed between 
Israel and the promised land. From this River nature shrinks back, even 
when faith, hope, and love, are in lively exercise; but, when these decline, 
alarm and consternation may unite with reluctance at the thoughts of 
crossing it. The dreaded pangs that precede the awful separation of those 
intimate associates, the soul and body; the painful parting with dear 
friends and every earthly object; the gloomy ideas of the dark, cold, and 
noisome grave ; and the solemn thought of launching into an unseen eter- 
nity, render Death the king of terrors. — But faith in a crucified, buried, 
risen, and ascended Saviour; experience of his faithfulness and love in 
times past; hope of an immediate entrance into his presence, where tempt- 
ation, conflict, sin, and suffering, will find no admission; and the desire of 
perfect knowledge, holiness, and felicity, will reconcile the mind to the 
inevitable stroke, and sometimes give a complete victory over every fear. 
Yet if faith and hope be weakened, through the recollection of any pecu- 
liar misconduct, the withholding of divine light and consolation, or some 
violent assault of the tempter; even the believer will be peculiarly liable 
to alarm and distress. His reflecting mind, having long been accustomed 
to consider the subject in its important nature and consequences, has very 
different apprehensions of God, of eternity, of judgment, of sin, and of him- 
self, than other men have. Sometimes experienced saints are more de- 
sponding in these circumstances than their junior brethren: constitution 
has considerable effect upon the mind: and some men (like Christian,) 
are in every stage of their profession, more exposed to temptations of a 
discouraging nature, than to ambition, avarice, or fleshly lusts. — A consci- 
entious life indeed is commouly favoured with a peaceful close, even when 
forebodings to the contrary have troubled men duriug their whole lives: 
and this is so far general, that they best provide for a comfortable death, 
who most diligently attend to the duties of their station, and the improve- 
ment of their talents, from evangelical principles; whereas they who live 
negligently, and yield to temptation, make, as it were, an assignation with 
terror to meet them on their death-bed, a season when comfort is more 
desirable than at any other. The Lord, however, is no man's debtor: 
none can claim consolation as their due: and, though a believer's experi- 
ence and the testimony of his conscience may evidence the sincerity of his 
faith and love; yet he must disclaim to the last everv other dependence 
than the righteousness and blood of Christ, and the tree mercy of God iu 
him. 



251 

Scarce could his anxious friend bear his droop'd head 

Above the stifling flood. Yea, oft he sunk 

'Neath the black surge, then, ghastly, rose, half dead ! 

Amid these bitter woes, Hopeful, still safe, 
Assay 'd to solace him.— ? Brother/ he cried, 
' Take courage. — I behold the dazzling Gate 
4 Wide open for our welcome ; and the hosts 
' Of yon bright City throng'd with outspread arms, 
' To hail our triumph/ — 

Chr. Ah! my friend! for you — 

For you alone they wait. Your stedfast hope 
Hath baffled ev'ry storm: and now it holds 
Fast anchor in the skies. 

Hope. And such is thine; 

Though fainting flesh dismay thee. 

Chr. Nay, my brother, 

If all were well within, my Lord would rise 
To my swift aid. But oh ! for my curst sins 
He shuns, and leaves me in the snares of hell. 

Hope. O yield not thus, my friend, to hell's deep 
fraud: — 
Remember — of heav Vs outcast foes 'tis writ, 
' They have no bands in death : Their strength is firm : 
6 Nor are they prov'd or plagu'd like other men/ 
— Thy darkness and distress speak not thy soul 



252 

From God cast off; or, that he frowns thy foe. 
But thus he proves thee, that thy faith may plead 
His mercies past, and trust him to the end. 

At these all-cheering words, Christian revived: — 
A settling peace o'ercalm'd him : In deep thought 
He mus'd awhile ; then, into sudden strains, 
With outstretched arms, and nVd seraphic gaze, 
Brake forth, all ecstacy :— < >Tis He!— 'tis He ! 
1 My gracious Lord! — I see him once again! — 
' He smiles: — he speaks: — " Though through the floods 

" thou pass, 
" They shall not overwhelm thee : — Yea, though plung'd 
" In the dread deep, lo! I am with thee there."* 
— Thus surely staid, they breasted the grim wave 
Fearless and firm : for now > on solid ground 
O'er the safe shallow, Christian held his way; 
While ev'ry raging foe, without, within, 
Still as a stone, assail'd his peace no more. 
All, all was cloudless rapture ; till, the last 
Dull clod of perishable clay cast off, 
They sprang, immortal, to the realms of bliss. 1 

* Isa. xliii. 2. 

1 The temporary distresses of dying believers often arise from bodily 
disease, which interrupts the free exercise of their intellectual powers.. 
Of this Satan will be sure to take advantage, as far as he is permitted, 
and will suggest gloomy imaginations, not only to distress them, but lo 
dishearten others by their example. — What may in this state be painted 
before the fancy we cannot tell: but it is generally observed, that such 
painful conflicts terminate in renewed hope and comfort, frequently by 
means of the conversation and prayers of christians and ministers; so that 
they, who for a time have been most distressed, have at length died tri- 
umphantly. 



253 

—So two bright stars, sunk to the wat'ry west 
'Midst clouds and storms, at their dim setting plunge 
The raging flood all cheerless ; till, anon, 
To fairer climes they mount, and beam abroad, 
And add new glories to a brighter sphere. 

The fatal stream thus stemm'd, on the bright shore 
Waiting their pilgrim charge, the ready Guides 
Hail'd them victorious; and proclaimed them heirs 
Of full salvation.— Now, up the middle steep 
Of heav Vs high hill, with spirit-speed they glide, 
And float on glory-clouds, and tread the air, 
Clogg'd by no mortal cumbrance, nor dismayed 
With boded frowns repulsive at the Gate. 1 

Here two wing-wafted messengers from Zion, 
Join'd them, and painted in their own pure speech 
(Yet, oh, how faint!) the glories of that place 
Ev'n by familiar tongues confest 
All inexpressible.- — — — 

' There,' they exclaim'd, ' ye shortly shall behold, 
< (Long sought,) " the heavenly Jerusalem , 
" The countless company of sinless angels; 

i When " Lazarus died, he was carried by angels into Abrahams bo- 
" som:" and we have every reason to believe, that the services or these 
friendly spirits to the souls of departed saints are immediate and sensible: 
and that their joy is such as is here described. The beautiful description 
that follows, admits of no elucidation: some of the images indeed are taken 
from modern customs; but in all other respects it is entirely scriptural, 
and very intelligible and animating to the spiritual mind. 



254 

M And kindred spirits of the just made perfect."* 

' There ye shall win the Paradise of God ; 

' Eat fruits immortal from the Tree of Life; 

1 Walk in white robes, and commune with your King 

1 Through blest eternal ages.f 

i There, sorrow, sickness, anguish, trouble, death, 

' Shall flee away for ever. J 

1 There, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, ye shall greet; 

' With ancient Prophets, venerable Seers, 

' Snatch'd from the evil to come ; and now reposing 

' In blissful, ever-during peace, or walking 

' Each in his righteousness. 

* There ye shall reap, what patiently ye have sown : — 

1 Comfort for all your toil; joy for your grief; — 

* Rich fruit of your past sufferings, prayers, and tears. § 
' In that blest kingdom, diadem'd with gold, 

1 Your longing souls shall, unrebuk'd, adore 

' The unveiVd vision of the Holy One.|| — 

i Him you shall serve with songs of thankful praise, 

* Unwearied ; — praise, in bondage of frail flesh 
' So feebly rendered. 

1 There you again shall meet 

* Your brethren, once of earth, and wait and welcome 

* Each lov'd arrival to that holy Rest. 

1 And, when the King of Glory shall ride forth 
' On wings of chariot-winds, to the solemn sound 
' Of the last trump; ye, circling shall attend him 



• Heb xii. 22—24. t Rev. ii. 7. iii. 4. xxii. 5. $ Isa. lxv.I6. 
5 Gal. vi. 7, 8. II 1 John iii. 2. 



255 

' In glorious majesty ; with him sit down 
1 To final judgment — partners of His throne ; 
( And seal with your A men tiY eternal doom 
1 Of his proud foes and yours — rebellious angels 

* Or guilty sons of earth. — The judgment past, 

' His triumph you shall share ; and with him win 
' The holy City, to go out no more!'* 

As thus they sped them tow'rd the heav'nly Gate, 
Behold a flight of the celestial host 
With rapfrous harpings hail the Pilgrim pair, 
And shout them ' Welcome to their blissful home ! 
' And, to the marriage-supper of the Lamb 
1 Ten thousand welcomes!'^ — 

— Thus heav'n itself came down to meet them. — Thus 
The joys of heav'n, in lively antepast 
They tasted, ere its full delights they shar'd ! 

And now, before the star-gemm'd portal stood 
The' expectant Pilgrims. — On its frontal hlaz'd 
In golden tablature this rapt'rous token: — 
1 Blessed are they who do His holy will.— 
1 Theirs is full right to the fair tree of Life, 
* And free reception through these happy Gates. J 1 

• 1 Thess. iv. 13—17. Jude 14, 15. Dan. vii. 9, 10. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. 

+ Rev. xix. 9. % Rev. xxii. 14. 

1 The commandments of God, as given to sinners under a dispensation 
of mercy, call them to repentance, faith in Christ, and the obedience of 
faith and love j the believer habitually practises according to thtse com* 



256 

Emboldened thus, they knocked : — O'er the bright keep 
Rent Enoch, Moses, and Elijah; charged 
With its safe watch. To these, the winged Guides 
Presented the blest Pilgrims, * From afar, 
' Ev'n from the City of Destruction, borne 

* Through countless toils and sufferings, by liege love 
4 To the Great King.' — Reported thus, anon 

Their passports they unfold, vouching the truth 
Un dubious : Whereat their approving Lord 
Straitly commanded — ' Open ye the Gate 

* Of blissful entrance to my faithful ones ; 
4 These of the righteous nation/* 

The wide arch now received them: when, behold! 
Each earthly lineament transfigur'd, beamed 
With radiant glories : whilst angelic hands 
Prompt minist'ring, cloth'd them in flowing gold, 
And gave to their due state harps of high praise, 
And crowns of honour. — Loud shouts of jubilee 
Rang round the golden City. ' Enter ye in / 
Echoed accordant myriads : — ' Enter ye, 
' Into the joy of your Lord/ To this glad strain 
HeavVs choral host responded, 



* Isa. xxvi. 2. 

mandments, from the time of* his receiving Christ foi salvation ; and this 
evidences his interest in all the blessings of the new covenant, and proves 
that he has a right through grace to the heavenly inheritance.— May the 
writer of these remarks, and every reader, have such "an abundant en- 
11 trance," as is here described, " into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord 
11 and Saviour Jesus Christ." 



257 

* Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 
1 Be unto Him that sitteth on the throne, 
' And to the Lamb, for ever V* 

The Gate now clos'd; but oh, the blissful glimpse 
Of that lov'd Home, lent to my mortal gaze! — 
Death, had he fix'd me there, though every wave 
Of his black River had o'erwhelm'd my soul, 
Smiling I then had welcomed ! — But the blest Gate 
Had clos'd! — I turn'd me to depart: — when, lo! 
Self-trusting Ignorance ranging the river's brink! — 
—Him Vain-hope ferry'd over, and, safe moor'd 
On the celestial strand, up the bright hill, 
Yea, to the very Gate, but — all alone, 

He climb'd ! There, with the loud, bold din 

Of proud self-confidence, he knock'd: — That summons 

By the strict Warden challenged, he replied — 

' I have drank and eaten in your Lord's own presence, 

c And he hath taught familiar in our streets/ 

But, no true passport vouching him, they charged 

A heav'nly clan, who bound him hand and foot, 

And, launched through the turbid air, thrust him within 

The horrid rift I mark'd in the' hell-gulph'd hill.— f 

— Thus fearfully I saw, that from the Gate 

Of Heav'n, as from the City of Destruction, 

Runs a high road to Hell ! — 

Whereat I woke, and, lo ! 'twas all a dream ! l 

• Rev. v. 13, 14. [t See page 214, line 12.] 

1 We frequently hear of persons that have lived strangers to evangelical 



258 

religion, and the power of godliness, dying with great composure and 
resignation : and such instances are brought forward as an objection to the 
necessity of faith, or a devoted life. — But what do they prove? "What 
evidence is there, that suth men are saved ? Is it not far "more likely that 
they continued to the end under the power of ignorance and self-conceit; 
that Satan took care not to disturb them j and that God gave them over 
to a strong delusion, and left them to perish with a; lie in their right 
hand? Men who have neglected religion all their lives, or have habitually 
for a length of years disgraced an evangelical profession, being when near 
death visited by pious persons, sometimes obtain a sudden and extraordi- 
nary measure of peace andjov, and die in this frame. This should in 
general be considered as a bad sign : for deep humiliation, yea distress, 
united with some trembling hope of God's mercy through the gospel, is 
far more suited to their case, and more likely to be the effect of spiritual 
illumination. But when a formal visit from a minister of any sect, a few 
general questions, and a prayer, (with or without the sacrament,) calm the 
mind of a dying person, whose life has been unsuitable to the christian 
profession ; no doubt, could we penetrate the veil, we should see him 
wafted across the RIVER in the boat of Vain-HOPE, and meeting with 
the awful doom that is here described. From such delusions, good Lord, 
deliver us. Amen. 



NOTE ; 

Referring to page 214. 



In the original, the episode of Little-faith immediately follows 
the incident contained in the page above referred to; but, being 
peculiar^ unfitted for poetical condensation, it was deemed ex- 
pedient not to attempt what might have proved a decided failure : 
and as it is no essential or integral portion of the narrative, and 
jet is too interesting and instructive to be wholly omitted with 
propriety, it seemed best to introduce it in its original prose, 
and in the detached form here adopted. 

Then said Christian to his fellow, Now I call to 
remembrance that which was told me, of a thing that hap- 
pened to a good man hereabout. The name of the man 
was Little-faith ; but a good man, and he dwelt in the 
town of Sincere. The thing was this: — At the enter- 
ing in at this passage, there came down from Broad-way 
gate a lane called Dead-man's-lane; so called, because 
of the murders that are commonly done there : and this 
Little-faith going on pilgrimage, as we do now, chanced 
to sit down there and slept. Now there happened at that 
time to come down the lane from Broad- way Gate three 
sturdy rogues, and their names were Faint-heart, Mis- 
trust, and Guilt, three brothers; and they, espying 
Little- faith where he was, came galloping up with 
speed. Now the good man was just awaked from his 
sleep, and was getting up to go on his journey. So they 
came up all to him, and with threatening language bid 
him stand. At this Little-faith looked as white as a 
clout, and had neither power to fight nor flee. Then said 
Faint-heart, ' Deliver thy purse;' but he making no 
haste to do it, (for he was loth to lose his money,) Mis- 
trust ran up to him, and thrusting his hand into his 
pocket pulled out thence a bag of silver. Then he cried 



260 

out i Thieves! thieves!' With that, Guilt, with a great 
club that was in his hand, struck Little-faith on the 
head, and with that blow felled him flat to the ground: 
where he lay bleeding as one that would bleed to death. 1 
All this while the thieves stood by. But at last, they hear- 
ing that some were upon the road, and fearing lest it should 
be one Great-grace, that dwells in the city of Good- 
confidence, they betook themselves to their heels, and 
left this good man to shift for himself. 2 Now after a 
while Little-faith came to himself, and getting up, 
made shift to scrabble on his way. This was the story. 

Hope. But did they take from him all that ever he 
had? 

Chr. No : the place where his Jewels were, they never 
ransacked: so those he kept still. But, as I was told, the 
good man was much afflicted for his loss ; for the thieves 
got most of his spending money. That which they got 
not, as I said, were Jewels ; also he had a little odd money 

1 This episode is calculated topvevent weak christians being dismayed 
by the awful things spoken of hypocrites and apostates. In times of perse- 
cution, many who seemed to be religious, openly return into the broad way 
to destruction ; and thus Satan murders the souls of men, by threatening 
to kill their bodies. This is Dead-m AN'S-LANE, leading back to BROAD- 
WAY GATE. All true believers are indeed preserved from drawing back 
to perdition : but the weak in faith, being faint-hearted, and mistrusting 
the promises and faithfulness of God, are betrayed into sinful compliances 
or negligences ; they lie down to sleep when they have special need to 
watch and be sober ; they conceal or perhaps deny their profession, are 
timid and negligent in duty ; or in other respects act contrary to their 
consciences, and thus contract guilt. So that FAINT-HEART threatens 
and assaults them ; MISTRUST plunders them ; and GUILT beats them 
down, and almost makes them despair of life. As the robbery was com- 
mitted in the dark pass before mentioned,* this seems to have been the 
author's precise meaning: but any unbelieving fears, that induce men to 
neglect the means of grace, or to adopt sinful expedients of securing 
themselves, which on the review bring guilt and terror upon their con- 
sciences, may also be intended. 

3 As these robbers represent the inward effects of unbelief and disobe- 
dience, and not any outward enemies, Great-grace may be the emblem 
of those believers, or ministers, who having honourably stood their ground, 
endeavour to restore the fallen in the spirit of meekness, by suitable encou- 
ragements. The compassionate exhortations or honourable examples of 
such eniineut christians, keep the fallen from entire despondency, and both 
tend to bring them to repentance, and to inspire them when penitent, and 
trembling at the word of God, with some hope of finding mercy and grace 
in this time of urgent need; which seems to be allegori call y represented 
by the flight of the robbers, when they heard that GREAT-GRACE was on 
the road. 

[* See page 214, line 12 ] 



261 

left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey's 
end ;* nay, if I was not misinformed, he was forced to 
beg as he went, to keep himself alive (for his Jewels he 
might not sell). But beg and do what he could, ' he 
went/ as we say, ' with many a hungry belly/ the most 
part of the rest of the way. 

Hope. But is it not a wonder they got not from him 
his certificate, by which he was to receive his admittance 
at the celestial Gate? 

Chr. It is a wonder: but they got not that; though 
they missed it not through any good cunning of his; for 
he, being dismayed with their coming upon him, had nei- 
ther power nor skill to hide any thing, so it was more by 
good Providence than by his endeavour that they missed 
of that good thing, f 

Hope. But it must needs be a comfort to him that they 
got not his Jewels from him. 

Chr. It might have been great comfort to him, had he 
used it as he should : but they that told me the story said 
that he made but little use of it all the rest of the way; 
and that, because of the dismay that he had in the taking 
away his money. Indeed he forgot it a great part of the 
rest of his journey ; and besides, when at any time it 
came into his mind, and he began to be comforted there- 
with, then would fresh thoughts of his loss come again 
upon him, and those thoughts would swallow up all, 

Hope. Alas, poor man! this could not but be a great 
grief unto him ! 

Chr. Grief! ay, a grief indeed. Would it not have 
been so to any of us, had we been used as he, to be robbed 
and wounded too, and that in a strange place, as he was? 
*Tis a wonder he did not die with grief, poor heart ! I 
was told that he scattered almost all the rest of the way 
with nothing but doleful and bitter complaints : telling 
also to all that overtook him, or that he overtook, in the 
way as he went, where he was robbed, and how; who 
they were that did it, and what he lost ; how he was 
wounded, and that he hardly escaped with life. 1 

* 1 Pet, iv. 18, + 2 Tim. i. 14. 2 Pet. ii 9. 
1 The believer's uniou with Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, 
sealing; his acceptance and rendering; him meet for heaven, are his invalu- 



262 

Hope. But it is a wonder that his necessity did not 
put him upon selling or pawning some of his Jewels, that 
he might have wherewith to relieve himself in his journey. 

Chr. Thou talkestlike one upon whose head is the shell 
to this very day ; for what should he pawn them ? or to 
whom should he sell them? In all that country where he 
was robbed his Jewels were not accounted of; nor did he 
want that relief which could from thence be administered 
to him. Besides, had his Jewels been missing at the Gate 
of the celestial City, he had (and that he knew well 
enough,) been excluded from an inheritance there, and 
that would have been worse to him than the appearance 
and villainy often thousand thieves. 

Hope. Why art thou so tart, my brother? Esau sold 
his birthright, and that for a mess of pottage ;* and that 
birthright was his greatest Jewel : and, if he, why might 
not Little-faith do so too? 

Chr. Esau did sell his birthright indeed, and so do 
many besides, and by so doing exclude themselves from 
the chief blessing ; as also that caitiff did : but you must 
put a difference betwixt Esau and Little-faith, and 
also betwixt their estates. Esau's birthright was typical, 
but Littlefaith's Jewels were not so. Esau's belly 
was his god, but Little-faith's belly was notso. Esau's 
want lay in his fleshly appetite, Little-faith's did not 
so. Besides, Esau could see no further than to the ful- 
filling of his lusts: " For I am at the point to die," 
(said he,) " and what good will this birthright do me?"f 
But Little-faith, though it was his lot to have but a 
little faith, was by his little faith kept from such extra- 
vagances, and made to see and prize his Jewels more than 

* Heb. xii. 16. + Gen. xxv. 29—34. 

able and unalienable jewels. But he may by sin lose bis comforts, and not 
be able to perceive the evidences of his own safety: and even when again 
enabled to hope that it will be well with him in the event; he may be so 
harassed by the recollection of the loss he hassustained,the effects of his mis- 
conduct on others, and the obstructions he hath thrown in the way of his 
his own comfort and usefulness, that his future life may be rendered u 
constant scene of disquietude and painful reflections. Thus the doctrine 
of the believer's final perseverance is both maintained and guarded from 
abuse: and it is not owing to a man's own care, but to the Lord's fiee 
mercy, powerful interposition, and the engagements of the new covenant, 
that unocUef and guilt do not rob him of his title to heaven, as well as of 
his comfort and confidence. 



263 

to sell them as Esau did his birthright You read not 
any where that Esau had faith, no not so much as a lit- 
tle; therefore no marvel, if where the flesh only bears 
sway, (as it will in that man where no faith is, to resist,) 
if he sells his birthright, and his soul and all, and that to 
the devil of hell : for it is with such as it is with the ass, 
who " in her occasions cannot be turned away :"* when 
their minds are set upon their lusts, they will have 
them whatever they cost. But Little-faith was of 
another temper ; his mind was on things divine ; his live- 
lihood was upon things that were spiritual and from above; 
therefore, to what end should he that is of such a temper 
sell his Jewels, (had there been any that would have 
bought them,) to fill his mind with empty things? Will 
a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay? or can you 
persuade the turtle dove to live upon carrion like the 
crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts, pawn, 
mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright 
to boot ; yet they have that faith, saving faith, though but 
little of it, cannot so do. Here, therefore, my brother, is 
thy mistake. 1 

Hope, I acknowledge it; but yet your severe reflection 
had almost made me angry. 

Chr. Why? I did but compare thee to some of the 
birds that are of the brisker sort, who will run to and fro 
in trodden paths with the shell upon their heads ; — but 
pass by that, and consider the matter under debate, and 
all shall be well betwixt thee and me. 

Hope. But, Christian, these three fellows, I am per- 
suaded in my heart, are but a company of cowards : 
would they have run else, think you, as they did, at the 
noise of one that was coming on the road? Why did not 
Little-faith pluck up a greater heart? he might, me- 
thinks, have stood one brush with them, and have yielded 
when there had been no remedy. 

Chr. That they are cowards, many have said, but few 

• Jer. ii. 24. 
1 Many professors, meeting with discouragements, give up their reli- 
gion for the sake of this present world; but, if any thence argue, that true 
believers will copy their example, they shew that they are neither well 
established in judgment, nor deeply acquainted with the nature of the di- 
vine life, or the objects of its supreme desires and peculiar fears. 



264 

have found it so in the time of trial. As for a great heart, 
Little-faith had none ; and I perceive by thee, my 
brother, hadst thou been the man concerned, thou art 
but for a brush, and then to yield. And verily, since this 
is the height of thy stomach now they are at a distance 
from us; should they appear to thee, as they did to him, 
they might put thee to second thoughts. 

But consider again, they are but journeymen thieves; 
they serve under the king of the bottomless pit; who, if 
need be, will come in to their aid himself, and his voice 
is as the roaring of a Hon.* I myself have been engaged 
as this Little-faith was ; and I found it a terrible thing. 
These three villains set upon me, and I beginning like a 
Christian to resist, they gave but a call, and in came their 
master: I would, as the sayingis,have given my life for 
a penny ; but that, as God would have it, I was clothed 
with armour of proof. Ay, and yet, though I was so 
harnessed, I found it hard work to quit myself like a man : 
no man can can tell what in that combat attends us, but 
he that hath been in the battle himself. 

Hope. Well, but they ran, you see, when they did but 
suppose that one Great -grace was in the way. 

Chr. True, they have often fled, both they and their 
master, when Great-grace hath appeared ; and no mar- 
vel, for he is the King's Champion : but, I trow, you will 
put some difference between Little-faith and the King's 
Champion. All the King's subjects are not his Cham- 
pions; nor can they, when tried, do such feats of war as 
he. Is it meet to think that a little child should handle 
Goliath as David did ? or that there should be the strength 
of an ox in a wren? Some are strong, some are weak ; 
some have great faith, some have little ; this man was one 
of the weak, and therefore he went to the wall. 

Hope. I would it had been Great-grace for their 
sakes. 

Chr. If it had been he, he might have had his hands 
full: for I must tell you that, though Great-grace is 
excellent good at his weapons, and has, and can, so long- 
as he keeps them at sword's point, do well enough with 
them ; yet if they get within him, even Faint-heart, 
Mistrust, or the other, it shall go hard but they will 

• 1 Pet. v. 8. 



265 

throw up his heels : and when a man is down, you know, 
what can he do? 

Whoso looks well upon Great-grace's face, shall see 
those scars and cuts there that shall easily give demon- 
stration of what I say. Yea, once I heard he should say, 
(and that when he was in the combat,) " We despaired 
44 even of life." Hew did these sturdy rogues and their 
fellows make David groan, mourn, and roar? Yea, He- 
man and Hezekiah too, though Champions in their day, 
were forced to bestir them when by these assaulted ; and 
yet, notwithstanding they had their coats soundly brushed 
by them. Peter, upon a time, would go try what he 
could do ; but though some do say of him that he is the 
Prince of the Apostles, they handled him so that they 
made him at last afraid of a sorry girl. 

Besides, their king is at their whistle ; he is never out 
of hearing; and if at any time they be put to the worst, 
he, if possible, comes in to help them: and of him it is 
said, " The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold; 
M the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon ; he esteemeth 
" iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood: the arrow can- 
4i not make him flee, sling-stones are turned with him 
" into stubble: darts are counted as stubble ; he laugheth 
" at the shaking of a spear."* What can a man do in 
this case ? 'tis true, if a man could at every turn have 
Job's horse, and had skill and courage to ride him, he 
might do notable things ; for " His neck is clothed with 
" thunder; he will not be afraid as a grasshopper; the 
" glory of his nostrils is terrible ; he paweth in the val- 
" ley, and rejoiceth in his strength; he goeth on to meet 
" the armed men: he mocketh at fear, and is not af- 
" frighted, neither turneth he back from the sword: the 
a quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the 
" shield: he swalloweth the ground with fierceness and 
" rage, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the 
" trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha ; and 
" he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the cap- 
" tains, and the shouting."f 

But for such footmen as thee and I are, let us never 

* Job xli. 26—29. t Job xxxix. 19—25. 
H 



266 

desire to meet with an enemy ; nor vaunt as if we could 
do better, when we hear of others that they have been 
foiled; nor be tickled at the thoughts of our own manhood, 
for such commonly come by the worst when tried. Wit- 
ness Peter, of whom I made mention before, he would 
swagger, ay, he would; he would, as his vain mind 
prompted him to say, do better, and stand more for his 
Master than all men : but who so foiled and run down by 
those villains as he ? 

When therefore we hear that such robberies are done 
on the King's highway, two things become us to do : first 
to go out harnessed, and to be sure to take a shield with 
us; for it was for want of that, that he that laid so 
lustily at Leviathan could not make him yield ; for, in- 
deed, if that be wanted, he fears us not at all. Therefore 
he that had skill hath said, " Above all, take the shield 
of faith, u wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the 
" fiery darts of the wicked/'* 1 

'Tis good also that we desire of the King a convoy, yea, 
that he will go with us himself. This made David re- 
joice when in the Valley of the Shadow of Death; and 

* Eph. iv. 16. 

1 Young converts often view temptations, conflicts, and persecutions, 
in a very different light than experienced believers do. Warm with zeal, 
aod full of confidence which they imagine to be wholly genuine, and know- 
ing comparatively little of their own hearts, or the nature of the christian 
conflict, they resemble new recruits who are apt to boast what great things 
they will do: but the old disciple, though much stronger in faith, and 
possessing habitually more vigour of holy affection, knows himself too well 
to boast, and speaks with modesty of the past, and diffidence of the future; 
likethe veteran soldier, of approved valour, who has often been in actual 
service —They, who have boasted before-hand what they would do and 
suffer, rather than deny the faith, have generally either proved apostates, 
or been taught their weakness by painful experience. And when a real 
believer has thus fallen, the recollection of past boastings adds to his re- 
morse and terror; and Satan will attempt to drive him to despair: so that, 
indeed, " no man can tell what in such a combat attends us, but he that 
1 has been in the battle himself.' — Even they, who were most remarkable 
for strength of faith, have often been overcome in the hour of temptation; 
and, when guilt got within them, they found it no easy matter to recover 
their hope and comfort; how then can the weak in faith be expected to over- 
come in such circumstances'? — The accommodation of the passages from Job 
to this conflict, seems merely intended to imply, that the assaults of Satan 
on these occasions, are more terrible than any thing in the visible creation 
can be: and that every possible advantage will be needful in order to with- 
stand in the evil day. 



267 

Moses was rather for dying where he stood than to go one 
step without his God.* O my brother, if he will but go 
along with us, what need we be afraid of ten thousand 
that shall set themselves against us ? but without him the 
proud helpers fall among the slain. + 1 

I, for my part, have been in the fray before now ; and 
though, through the goodness of him that is best, I am, 
as you see, alive, yet I cannot boast of my manhood. 
Glad shall I be if I meet with no more such brunts ; 
though I fear we are not got beyond all danger. How- 
ever, since the lion and the bear have not as yet devoured 
me, I hope God will also deliver us from the next uncir- 
cumcised Philistine. 



* Exod. xxxiii. 15. + Ps. iii. 5—8. xxvii. 1—3. Isa. x. 4. 
1 Instead of saying-, " though all men deny thee yet will not I," it be- 
hoves us to be instant in prayer, that the Lord himself may protect us by 
his power, and animate us by his presence: and then only shall we be en- 
abled to overcome both the fear of man, and the temptations of the devil. 



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ERRATA. 

Page 6, Note, line 1, for wordly read worldly. 

— 50, 1. 13, for wild read wide. 

— 84, 1. 13, for corapleat read complete. 
— 113, 1. 7, for secure read unharm'd. 

— 152, 1. 12, dele the repetition of the word faces. 
— 153, 1. 3, for unfolded read mysterious. 
— 162, 1. 6, for marty'rs read martyr's. 
—164, Note, 1. 8, for prachers read preachers 
—235, 1. 16, for of read on. 
—255, 1. 5, for Or read And. 



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